Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions and VA examinations regarding his low back disorder, psychiatric disorder, and service-connected residuals of a left patella and femur fracture with muscle herniation.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case as he is deceased.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a disability. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to lack of verification of claimed stressors. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral ankle disorder, arthritis of hands, and hypertension will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarification on whether any pre-existing psychiatric disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of PTSD and credible evidence supporting his in-service stressor, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing before the Board at the RO regarding all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be incurred in service, and the acquired psychiatric disorder is considered a direct result of his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for a statement of the case on several issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right foot condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection due to lack of medical nexus between current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Board finds that the service treatment records showing alcohol abuse in service, which could certainly be the first signs of the Veteran trying to cope with his schizophrenia/thought symptoms, as well as Veteran's and his mother's lay statements, are significant. As such, it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's schizophrenia had its onset within one year of his discharge from service in May 1993.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further action, including obtaining representation from the National Association of Black Veterans.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain medical records, clarify the nature and extent of his psychiatric conditions, and determine if he has any current respiratory or skin disorders. The specific issues on appeal will be addressed once this additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's kidney cancer is granted service connection based on herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service. The issue of service connection for a skin disorder and mental disorder including depression was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is pending.

The Board has determined that additional substantive development is necessary before further appellate consideration of the claim on appeal, including a search for missing service treatment records and an examination to address the Veteran's TBI, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and ADHD claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and depression), and chronic disability due to substance abuse. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for a chronic disability due to substance abuse.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if he was exposed to commercial herbicides that contained dioxin and other contaminants, which could potentially trigger service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for schizophreniform disorder was denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder since December 17, 2006. The Veteran's other claims are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to locate him for a hearing before the Board and to determine his eligibility for service connection based on new evidence.