Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has granted an increased rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability to 20 percent effective June 28, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, and sinus disorder are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of April 30, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran met the schedular and regulatory requirements for a TDIU as of this date.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability), and the underlying issue of entitlement to service connection for an anxiety disorder. The appeals were dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are granted. The Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in favor of his claimed stressor involving an accidental shooting on the firing range during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is incompetent to handle his VA funds due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder, which is currently rated as 100% disabling.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia was granted with an effective date of December 27, 1977, based on the evidence showing that his condition began within one year of discharge from service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to ensure that it may be properly adjudicated, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed schizophrenia and any other psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of the claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability and hepatitis C.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression, was manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, and flattened affect. He received a 50% evaluation for this condition.,For the right knee disability, there was no more than some pain and limitation of flexion (without flexion limited to 30 degrees), extension (limited to 10 degrees), locking, recurrent subluxation, or lateral instability. The Veteran's current appeal is limited to the period prior to September 23, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in her medical records and the need for updated evaluations. The AOJ will determine if she remains competent to handle her VA funds.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current left knee disability, as well as evaluating his psychiatric and low back disorders. The claims will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric or cognitive disorder was not caused by his service-connected rheumatic valvulitis, and denied both claims for increased rating and secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records and providing an addendum opinion to the February 2014 VA examination.

The Board found no credible evidence of an in-service assault and denied service connection for residuals of a head injury and psychiatric disorder, concluding that the Veteran's symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left wrist ganglion cyst is withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and clarification of representation.