Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information regarding his service-connected conditions, stressor claims, and increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches has been granted, with a current evaluation of 50 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and a depressive disorder with mixed anxiety features, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) and bilateral hearing loss were not causally related to his service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's HIV and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during his active duty. The VA examiners concluded that the current diagnoses are more likely due to post-service exposures.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension (SMP) based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's conditions, including a psychiatric disability, heart disability, low back disability, residuals of head injury, and prostate disability, are considered direct service connection cases.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sesamoid fracture to her left foot and for PTSD and depression, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for a sesamoid fracture. The psychiatric disability claim was also denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran was granted service connection for schizophrenia, effective from May 24, 1999. The claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted in May 1999.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a burn to the left forearm has been withdrawn. The remaining issues on appeal will be addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that new evidence supports a finding of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizophrenia. The Board found that there is at least equipoise as to whether the Veteran's conditions began during active service or are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The VA examiner's opinion was considered more probative than the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and their impact on his functioning.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is not proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected knee disabilities. The mental disorder issue remains unclear as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to address the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The case will be re-adjudicated after a formal character of discharge determination regarding his last period of active service from September 1985 to August 1990.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to afford him and his representative an opportunity to submit additional evidence or argument, and to readjudicate the claims.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether his service-connected disabilities have aggravated any nonservice-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the effective date for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus deformities and plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain the appellant's service personnel records, VA treatment records since June 2010, and Social Security Administration disability benefits decision. A VA psychiatric examination will be scheduled to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a sleep disorder) are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during his period of creditable active military service or otherwise related to such service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.