Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic left knee or left ankle disability that is related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection in these areas. The psychiatric claim was also denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition within one year post-service.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor event, and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension and psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of in-service events, symptoms, or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lipoma, previously claimed as body tumors, is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent.

The Veteran's schizophrenia has rendered him unable to protect himself from daily environmental hazards without the aid and attendance of another individual, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was denied as he does not have a current disability. His claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder NOS is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his in-service stressor.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of his claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings related to his TBI, tension headaches, vertigo, and PTSD.,He also raises claims of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in prior rating decisions.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claim may be finally adjudicated. Specifically, VA should attempt to obtain outstanding private treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination to better assist him in the development of his claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been recharacterized as a claim of entitlement for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and bronchitis/COPD were not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination to assess her employability given her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, cannot be granted as his reported stressor is found to be a result of his own willful misconduct.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is also being returned to the RO with updated treatment records and readjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, mania, and depression as his acquired psychiatric disorder did not manifest during or due to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his SSA records and rescheduling him for VA examinations and a hearing if he desires.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, will be remanded for further development and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic insomnia had its onset in service and continued since, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type; schizophrenia; schizophreniform disorder; and bipolar II disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.