Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and thought disorder. The evidence now shows a continuity of symptoms since active service and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal disability are presumed to be related to exposure to Agent Orange, but hypertension and erectile dysfunction were not found to be service-connected.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's private treatment records and to provide him with a VA examination for his claimed disabilities. The appeal will be remanded to the RO/AMC for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. A new hearing will be scheduled at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and PTSD. However, new evidence does not establish a valid in-service stressor for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder did not manifest as a result of his service, including dental treatment. The Board concluded that there was no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination of E.C. to determine his mental health status and whether he was capable of self-support prior to his eighteenth birthday.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability has been reopened and granted. His dysthymia is found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's mood disorder was found to have its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service, and therefore granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and dysphagia are addressed on remand.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, left shoulder injury, neck injury, right knee injury, and left knee injury were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as the evidence did not show the presence of PTSD and the preponderance of the competent evidence is against a finding that any other acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia with paranoid characteristics, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his February 1967 period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for borderline personality disorder with histrionic personality disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder with panic attack, bipolar disorder, and major depression. The evidence received since the January 1983 rating decision includes mental health treatment records from Griffiss Air Force Base that provide a link between the Veteran's service and her current diagnoses.

The Veteran's child is not eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits because she was over the age of 26 when her father became permanently disabled.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, an acquired psychiatric disorder (cyclothymic disorder), and a bilateral shoulder disorder are being remanded due to new evidence received since the last final decision. The claim for increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for proximal tibial stress fractures of the left knee with osteoarthritis is dismissed.,The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral ankle disorder, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, an acquired psychiatric disorder (cyclothymic disorder), and a bilateral shoulder disorder are being remanded. The claim for increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for proximal tibial stress fractures of the left knee with osteoarthritis is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's accounts of his military experiences and alleged stressors were inconsistent, unreliable, and uncorroborated by any credible supporting evidence. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied.

The Board found insufficient evidence to establish a relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and service, including PTSD.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder and cervical spine disorder are not related to his military service, but may be secondary to a service-connected disability. The Board denied the claims for these disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and a sleep disorder, is currently rated at 50 percent. The appeal for an increased rating has been granted.