Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board finds that further development is necessary to determine the validity of the Veteran's claimed PTSD stressors and whether he currently has a diagnosis of PTSD. The low back disorder claim must also be remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for undifferentiated schizophrenia was denied, as his condition is currently rated at the highest available level. The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disability was also denied.

The Veteran's polysubstance dependence disorder is service-connected as it was caused by self-medication for his PTSD. However, no separate acquired psychiatric disorder has been found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain clarification on his claimed Southwest Asia theater of operations service and to schedule him for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his psychiatric, neurological, and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD. The medical evidence supports a diagnosis of mood disorder and links this condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and has also reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of heat stroke has been granted. The issue regarding an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as stress and PTSD) is also addressed, with the decision pending.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is related to her military service. The case is therefore REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining treatment records from Waco Cardiology and determining whether his May 2003 lung problems occurred during a period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 7, 2000 for a 100 percent evaluation for schizophrenia and also denied his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for genital warts.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disorder, rectal disorder, and hepatitis C. The VA will provide additional examinations and obtain further clarification on these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss and psychiatric disabilities are related to service, including in-service noise exposure.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including verification of the Veteran's National Guard and Reserve service records and obtaining any outstanding treatment records. The issue of reopening a claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder will also be addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran's hyperthyroidism, sarcoidosis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depression and PTSD) were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left patellofemoral pain syndrome to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been presented, but further development is needed before reaching a decision on the merits of the reopened claim. Additionally, the claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders (including posttraumatic stress disorder), sleep and memory problems, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and further examination is required. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for common variable immunodeficiency and bronchiectasis with vasomotor rhinitis and history of maxillary sinusitis have not met the criteria for a higher rating.