Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the diagnosis and stressor criteria.

The Veteran's undifferentiated schizophrenia is currently rated at 50 percent, and his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia was not manifest in service or within one year of separation, and is unrelated to service. Therefore, service connection for schizophrenia is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate findings in a previous VA examination report. The Veteran needs to undergo a new VA psychiatric examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than mood disorder (claimed as anxiety, depression, and stress), to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, Anxiety Disorder with Panic Attacks, and Depression, are found to be related to pre-service events. The service-connected anxiety disorder is also found to have aggravated the Veteran's chemical dependency. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and there is no evidence of a psychosis manifested within one year after service. The medical evidence did not establish any psychiatric disorder, including depression, nicotine dependence, or alcohol dependence, as being causally related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to issues related to service connection for headaches, a bilateral leg disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed in accordance with Clemons v. Shinseki (2009) where claims encompass all psychiatric disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any psychiatric disorders. His current depression and anxiety are attributed to his below-the-knee amputation due to combat injuries sustained during the Korean War.,His dementia of Alzheimer's Type is currently being treated, but there is no direct evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for pleural and sub-pleural lung scarring, finding that the Veteran's current respiratory disability is likely caused by his exposure to asbestos during service. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, is related to his active service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of exposure to asbestos, and facet arthropathy at the level of the 5th lumbar vertebra and 1st sacral segment. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable colon syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity have been withdrawn by the authorized representative. The claims of increased ratings for residuals of a right index finger disability, GERD, fibromyalgia, non-cardiac chest pain due to undiagnosed illness, rhinitis with sinusitis, skin disorder (including tinea cruris, tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and psuedofolliculitis barbae), and onychomycosis of the toenails have been granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance remains pending.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran currently suffers from PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder resulting from active duty service.

The Veteran's mental disorder is not found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and mental health records from both periods of active duty. A VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that there is no credible supporting evidence of the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, and thus, service connection for PTSD cannot be granted.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the submission of new and material evidence, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.