Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder and right leg disorder are related to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the claims files are incomplete and requires additional development, including a search for missing records and VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and translating documents in his file.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy of the left eye is service-connected, while his organic mental disorder is not. The diabetes mellitus remains at a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted without a waiver of initial RO consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to be incurred in service, while his cognitive disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which he claims is due to his military service. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for liver disease, claimed as hepatitis, was denied. His claims for PTSD and hypertension were granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, dermatitis, erectile dysfunction, an acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with anxious and depressed mood and posttraumatic stress disorder), achalasia, and TMJ. The initial ratings assigned were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder(s), diabetes mellitus, nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, and any foot complications.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for left shoulder impingement, status-post decompression, with mild functional loss. The acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and PTSD) is also service connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was granted on the merits. The claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for paranoid schizophrenia (which included a theory of direct service connection) was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current paranoid schizophrenia is at least as likely as not related to his service, including a personality disorder he had during service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any psychiatric disorder found to be present. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as there is no current evidence of a chronic disability related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The remaining claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disorder, and bilateral shin splints are remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than dementia/Alzheimer's disease, including PTSD and anxiety disorders, on the basis of a stressor related to his service aboard the USS Oriskany in October 1966. The claim is based on accrued benefits as the Veteran died after the initial decision but before the appeal was decided.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with instructions in a Joint Motion, and the Veteran must be provided an opportunity to present testimony before a new Veterans Law Judge.