Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder. The right knee disability issue will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, but the Veteran does not have posttraumatic stress disorder related to an in-service stressor. The claims are denied as a result.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including cholecystectomy residuals, GERD, depression, knee disabilities, respiratory disorder, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, skin disability, traumatic brain injury residuals other than headaches, headaches, right eye trauma residuals, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction are all granted.,The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, dry eye syndrome, and erectile dysfunction were found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a mental disorder, including PTSD and depression, cannot be reopened due to insufficient evidence to verify his in-service stressor. The case is being remanded to conduct additional research into his service in Grenada in November 1983.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues include reopening service connection claims and seeking increased ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for back disability and granted it, finding new and material evidence. The psychiatric claim is not addressed as it was recharacterized to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service treatment records and personnel records. A VA examination is also required for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury, fatigue, respiratory condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depressive disorder, mood disorder), coronary artery disease, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability have been denied. The decision does not address the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for fatigue.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine whether the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability contributed substantially or materially to his death, combined to cause death, or aided in producing death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic fatigue syndrome, Brucellosis, or a psychiatric disability to include PTSD. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of heart disability, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and low back disorder. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses or disabilities related to his bilateral hands, knees, hips, chloracne, peripheral neuropathy, or tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete VA records and the need for additional development of his claims, including a psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia caused or aggravated his alcohol addiction, which led to cirrhosis and ultimately contributed to his cause of death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination. The examiner must reconcile previous diagnoses of PTSD and schizoaffective disorder, provide a rationale for any negative nexus opinions, and address all verified in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not reporting for a scheduled videoconference hearing and issues with communication regarding his current address. The claims will be reconsidered after these matters are resolved.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for a skin rash and left ankle disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, related to fear of hostile military activity during his service in Korea, and thus meets the criteria for service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(3).

The Board has found that further development is required to determine if the Veteran has a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM criteria. The case is REMANDED for obtaining updated VA treatment records, private medical records from N.K.W, M.D., and J.W.P, M.D., and scheduling a VA examination if warranted.

The Veteran's right Achilles tendonitis is granted service connection, and the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability (PTSD) is also granted. The rating for headaches remains denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and cannabis dependence with alcohol abuse, does not result in occupational and social impairment that warrants a rating higher than 50 percent.