Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any cardiovascular disease or disorder is related to Agent Orange exposure. The psychiatric claims are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, which is now granted as it is etiologically related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and the possible existence of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was rated at 50 percent disabling for the period from October 31, 2006 to April 28, 2010. The claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected schizophrenia did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder or heart condition. The claim for neuropathy is denied as well.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include schizophrenia, need further development due to incomplete evidence and the need for VCAA notice on her personal assault claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for new examination and consideration of unemployability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for reinstatement of his VA fee-basis identification card due to issues with travel distance and availability of care at a VA facility.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his active duty service and granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records from various facilities and providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, and there is no evidence of muscle pain, joint pain, memory loss, sleep disorder or chronic fatigue related to his military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to attempt to locate a police report from the motor vehicle accident of May 15, 1982. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's right knee and psychiatric disabilities are service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery on the left lower extremity is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, but denied the underlying claim as there is no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to link any diagnosed condition to service.

The Veteran's back disability is found to have had its onset during service and is granted service connection. The claim for psychiatric disabilities remains pending as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service personal assault leading to PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and for a new examination regarding his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep disorder, and alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation for loss of a creative organ was denied as there is no evidence that the conditions arose during or were caused by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left and right knee disabilities, and a right shoulder scar. The Veteran's current knee conditions are not considered to be related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to lack of evidence supporting the presence of combat and verified stressors. The claim was not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.