Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's current psychiatric disorder(s) and its/their relationship to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen his left knee disability claim. The psychiatric disorder and acid reflux claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected left forearm scars has been granted, with the effective date set at May 12, 2009. The earlier effective date claim for the 40 percent disability rating for the service-connected back disability was not met.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction are found to be service-connected. The claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for erectile dysfunction resulting from VA medical care is denied due to anti-pyramiding regulations.

The appellant seeks DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death or under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, alleging that VA treatment during her hospitalization contributed to her death. The Board finds the VA opinion inadequate and requires an advisory medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The claim of service connection for schizotypal personality disorder and schizophrenia will be reviewed on the merits.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated as 30 percent disabling since September 19, 1997. The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance and grants a rating of 70 percent for PTSD from September 19, 1997 to February 8, 2012. For the period prior to February 8, 2012, the Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected low back disorder was denied. The Board also found that the evidence did not support granting service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link between the claimed in-service stressors and his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (GERD and gastritis) on the basis that it was incurred in or aggravated by service. The remaining issues of service connection for residuals of malaria, left arm disorders, bilateral leg disorders, psychiatric disorders, and dizziness/hot flashes are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal in August 2014 for all issues listed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for his right index finger disability, which has been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5229 due to limitation of motion. Service connection was not granted for blurred vision or visual impairment, arthritis of the right wrist, and a left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a prostate condition as due to herbicide exposure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions. Service connection was not granted because there is no competent medical evidence linking any of these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for a low back disorder, as well as TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are alleged to be aggravating her nonservice-connected back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining hospitalization records and determining whether a motor vehicle accident occurred during service. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case back to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining records from the Army Hospital in Frankfurt and unit personnel records of B Company, 503rd Supply and Transport Battalion. The issues on appeal are whether the Veteran was assaulted in August-November 1975 and if so, whether he has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred or aggravated in service, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board at the RO. The issues include rating for bilateral hearing loss, verruca on both hands, and residuals of a fracture of the right little finger; service connection for erectile dysfunction, PTSD, left knee condition, hypertension, bilateral eye condition, and migraine headaches; and reopening claims for left knee condition, hypertension, and bilateral eye condition.