Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has determined that the character of the appellant's discharge is not a bar to VA benefits, other than medical care under Chapter 17. The appeal for service connection and pension claims will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, most recently diagnosed as bipolar disorder, had its onset during his active service and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his recent move and the need for a rescheduled Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for multiple disabilities are referred back to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was previously denied in April 1975. New evidence received since that time does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, and thus the claim is not reopened.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is a bar to VA benefits, but has ordered further examination and reconsideration due to new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing and further development due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his psychiatric, diabetes, neuropathy, hypertension, and scarring conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension did not manifest during service and is not shown to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have resulted in a rating of 90 percent, which is the highest possible under current regulations. The Board has determined that this rating is correct and no higher rating can be granted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of an increased evaluation for low back strain.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for PTSD is denied. The claims for DM, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure are also denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and diabetes mellitus, type II are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the potential pre-service onset of his psychiatric condition and the relationship between his schizophrenia and diabetes.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The personality disorder is considered a non-disease condition, hence compensation is prohibited as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to bilateral pes planus is being remanded as well, with the same reasoning as above.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) remains pending. The need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his major depressive disorder and schizoaffective disorder has been identified.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from 1977, as well as a search for clinical records from Camp Casey, Korea.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a separate and distinct diagnosis of depression, adjustment disorder, or a panic/anxiety disability. The evidence supports service connection for PTSD with alcohol dependence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not service-connected, as his intellectual disability was a congenital defect and not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his exposure to herbicide agents during service. The claim of service connection for the residuals of a right great toe infection (claimed as gout) has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his service in Vietnam. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are presumed to be due to acoustic trauma during service.