Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the nature, etiology, and service connection of any identified psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, but finds that there is no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disorder or a link between any diagnosed condition and his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found no basis for service connection of a stomach condition or an acquired psychiatric disorder, as the Veteran's symptoms are not causally related to his active duty service.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder because the new evidence did not show that the Veteran's condition was related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted with an effective date of March 24, 1972.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DJD and denied service connection for HIV and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The decision is mixed as it grants one claim (lumbar spine DJD) and denies two claims (HIV and psychiatric disorder).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen his previously denied claim of a cardiovascular disability. The other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was granted service connection, and the issue of whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim for bilateral recurrent pneumothoraces (lung condition) was withdrawn. The Veteran is also entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right foot drop due to VA medical treatment.

The Veteran's schizophrenia has been rated at 50 percent since the effective date of service connection, which is January 26, 2006. The rating will remain unchanged as there is no evidence of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to December 17, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or combat exposure that would support a diagnosis of PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disorder was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to establish a stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia, hebephrenic type, warrants an increased rating to 70 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis related to sinus, knee, back or acquired psychiatric disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD were found to be related to his service. The cause of death was determined to be brain swelling and herniation due to other significant conditions such as chronic alcohol use, tobacco use, Coumadin therapy, and deep venous thrombosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, depression, and anxiety are related to a personal assault during active service. As such, the criteria for granting service connection have been met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and alcoholism.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and depression did not have its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active duty. The preponderance of evidence indicates these conditions are not incurred in or aggravated by active service.