Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, during service or within one year of discharge. The examiner will also need to assess whether this condition was a contributory cause of his death from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Board has determined that further development of the evidence is required before the claims can be adjudicated, and these cases are being remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and depression, was denied. The Board found that the reported stressors were not verified and thus could not be used to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a right ankle injury is denied because the injury occurred while walking to and from classes as part of his vocational rehabilitation program, which was not an essential activity or function of the training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right biceps and for chronic acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression) were denied. The claim for service connection for flat feet was also denied. New evidence submitted since the last denial does not meet the criteria for reopening any of these claims.

The Board has determined that additional assistance is needed to support the Appellant's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. The case is REMANDED to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of PTSD or bipolar disorder, and the Board finds that his psychiatric disabilities are not related to service. The Veteran's diagnoses are attributed to alcohol abuse and personality disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, results in total social and occupational impairment warranting a rating of 100 percent.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder in April 2009, finding that the condition was not related to active duty. The Moving Party's motion argued this decision should be revised due to CUE regarding his service dates.,The Board also determined a valid debt of $7,090.00 existed from February 1, 1996 to June 30, 2000. The Moving Party's motion did not contest the validity of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service, as there is evidence suggesting in-service aggravation of a preexisting condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise or reverse its April 1995 decision, which had denied an earlier effective date for PTSD. The Veteran argued that he should have been diagnosed with PTSD at the time of his initial claims and that this would have resulted in a different outcome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for neurofibromatosis, cancer of the jaw, skin cancer, and hearing loss have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and a higher rating for dermatophytosis of the feet are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a hearing and another VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and thus cannot establish service connection for this condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, PTSD and a schizoaffective disorder. The claim is granted.,Service connection for hepatitis C is granted.

The Board denied service connection for posttraumatic depressive reaction with headaches and dizziness, as the claim was previously denied in July 1975. The Veteran's schizophrenia is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including post-traumatic headaches, trauma to the dorsolumbar region with myositis, and cervical spine injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise or reverse the RO decisions denying an earlier effective date for PTSD based on CUE, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the May 1981 and January 1983 rating decisions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim, finding that his character of discharge for the period from November 1968 to June 1970 is considered a bar to VA disability benefits due to persistent misconduct and willful and persistent misconduct.

The Veteran's asthma was granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent effective February 17, 2010. Service connection for PTSD was also granted.