Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not have qualifying wartime service. The claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for cardiovascular disease and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric impairment, claimed as residual to involuntary exposure to LSD during military service is being remanded due to the need to obtain missing medical records and conduct further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD and his other diagnosed psychiatric disorder is unrelated to service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining mental health treatment records from Fitzsimons Army Medical Center and affording the appellant a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for scars due to burns on the right upper extremity and anterior truck was denied as his scars did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7802.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was also denied. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The claim for extension of a temporary total disability rating due to surgery after April 30, 2011 was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than alcohol abuse was granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease status post myocardial infarction was granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides in the Republic of Vietnam. The effective date is September 14, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for a neurological examination to determine if the Veteran's lower extremity disabilities are related to his service-connected low back disability, and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine if he has a psychiatric disability secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board found that a current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, is not the result of a disease or injury in active service. The appellant's claim for bilateral hearing loss was also addressed but is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis or any related psychiatric disorders, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability, other than peripheral neuropathy, is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during the pendency of her appeal. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND section.

The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim is pending.

The Veteran does not have PTSD and the Board finds that his psychiatric symptoms are better explained by substance abuse rather than service stressors.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for a new VA Social and Industrial Survey to consider her complete disability picture, including her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the issuance of a statement of the case regarding his claim for an increased rating for schizophrenia, and for the issuance of a supplemental statement of the case in regard to his claims for increased ratings for left tibial and fibula fracture, right tibial and fibula fracture, and left femur fracture.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision on the latter issue is pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and left shoulder disorders have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has also been denied. The Veteran's Boxer's fracture of the right fifth metacarpal is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing, and the Veteran's current address needs to be confirmed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction, including as secondary to his psychiatric disorder.