Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of onset during service or causal relationship to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and inadequate psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with a history of schizophrenia, paranoid type, was rated at 30 percent prior to May 31, 2009 and at 70 percent from that date. The appeal is denied as the rating criteria are adequate for all times pertinent to this appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia with PTSD contributed to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. As a result, the DIC claim is moot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability claim information. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and secondary schizophrenia are found to be related to his service, specifically fear of hostile military activity during his time in the field artillery battalion. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The Veteran's claimed stressors were not verified, and his diagnoses are not linked to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability or a back disability that is causally related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence, and continuity of symptomatology is not shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and right shoulder disability are not related to service.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) have been granted with a 10 percent rating effective June 19, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing representation and not appearing for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran may be homeless, so efforts must be made to verify his current address and schedule him for a new hearing.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for schizophrenia and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and GERD, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a stressor related to basic training or any other in-service event. The diagnoses of other acquired psychiatric disorders were not shown to have begun during active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided. This includes obtaining outstanding VA treatment records, requesting private medical records, and arranging for a mental health examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, stomach disorder, and right arm disorder are all under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; bilateral knee disorder; and PTSD are not supported by credible evidence and therefore have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health disability (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) contributed to his death from pneumonia, thus warranting service connection for the cause of death. As this claim is granted, the DIC based on 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as a greater benefit has been awarded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no verified in-service stressor and the diagnosis of PTSD is not supported by credible supporting evidence.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, panic disorder, schizophrenia with depression, anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, were incurred during his military service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.