Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining archived police records from the city of Petersburg, Virginia. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of neck disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral feet disability, diabetes mellitus, heart attack caused by clogged artery, psychiatric disorder (anxiety attacks and nervousness), headaches, bilateral leg disability, and bilateral arm disability have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Veteran's current mental health problems are not related to his service, and the Board finds that he does not have PTSD.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is related to his service, and grants service connection for OSA.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hip disability, bilateral heel spurs, or back disability related to service. The claims were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various claimed conditions. The appellant's military service is also being reviewed to clarify her periods of active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and a new examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The claim is therefore denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all claims except for service connection for a psychiatric disability and alcoholism. The remaining claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of VA treatment records.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and supporting medical records, and a new VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, glaucoma, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been denied. The claim for increased evaluations of allergic rhino-sinusitis and chronic tonsillitis were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression and an organic mental disorder materially contributed to his death, granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to consider service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of her claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a determination on the character of discharge for his second period of service and a VA examination to assess the severity of his emphysema.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has determined that the Veteran is competent to handle his funds without limitation, and new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claims of diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, colon cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.