Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's in-service stressors have been verified, and his lay testimony alone may establish the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressor. Therefore, the Veteran is granted service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence supports a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia which had its onset during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no competent evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. The decision is based on the merits of the claim without invoking any specific presumption or exposure basis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, and paranoid schizophrenia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to address his low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for breathing problems, lumbar spine disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), liver disorder, Achilles tendon injury, and skin disorder are all denied. The appeals were not decided on a direct basis but rather based on presumptive exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in August 2011. The Veteran is required to be notified of the new examination and given an opportunity to present for it.

Prior to February 1, 2003, the Veteran's psychiatric disorder was rated at 30 percent due to symptoms such as depressed mood and mild insomnia.,From February 1, 2003 to June 30, 2003, the rating increased to 50 percent due to moderate symptoms including flattened affect and difficulty in social functioning.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, are being remanded due to the need to verify mustard gas exposure and determine if there is a link between current conditions and in-service exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service and that he was exposed to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The claim will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 26, 2006 for the grant of service connection for right ankle tenosynovitis is granted. The claim for reopening of service connection for a left ankle disorder and psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and attempts to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders present, including whether they are related to service or pre-existed service. The claims for nonservice-connected pension benefits and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance will be deferred until this development is complete.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that the Veteran did not experience combat or engage in Vietnam service and there was no verified stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.