Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, severe headaches, bilateral numbness in upper and lower extremities (hands and feet), acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, and skin cancer. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain SSA records and all outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, was aggravated by his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disability was not present in service or for many years thereafter and is not etiologically related to service, including his presumed exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board is remanding the case for further development and adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including a claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are service-connected, as is his acquired psychiatric disorder. The cardiovascular disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcers and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or physical abuse leading to PTSD, and her acquired psychiatric disorder is unrelated to her military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for a cervical spine disorder, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for any necessary VA examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability and there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. As such, service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right thigh scars and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim of entitlement to service connection for right thigh scars was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The claim for PTSD was denied due to a lack of credible supporting evidence that the in-service stressor occurred.

The Veteran's presbyopia is not service-connected and his status post strabismus surgery, bilateral, with diplopia and decreased visual acuity, rated at 30 percent, does not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include schizophrenia; and a chronic skin rash, to include as due to herbicide exposure in service are denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam or have any combat experience there, nor was he exposed to herbicides during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records, including VA and private clinical documentation of the Veteran's psychiatric treatment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD has not been submitted, as the appellant's previous claims were denied due to pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and an unredacted copy of a Report of Investigation into a fatal motor vehicle accident. The claims will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a hearing and readjudicating the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether any service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's cause of death. The claims for accrued benefits are also pending and must be addressed before further adjudication can occur.