Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran asserts that his current acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, is related to service. The Board previously remanded the claim for a VA examination and opinion. A new examination by a different examiner is required to determine if there is at least a 50% likelihood that the condition had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not shown to have developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service.

The Board has ordered further development for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, PTSD, and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The remand includes obtaining additional VA medical records, SSA records, and clarifying opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed service in Vietnam.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and arteriosclerotic heart disease. The new evidence submitted since the March 2005 decision supports a finding that these conditions are related to military service.,The Veteran's dental condition is currently on appeal, but an examination will be conducted to determine if it can be linked to his time in service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be etiologically related to his period of active service, and the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports this reopening. The gastrointestinal disorder is not considered a result of an undiagnosed illness, but rather due to known clinical entities such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia. Service connection was denied for the gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the denial of service connection for a right knee disorder. The claim for reopening of the psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the increased rating for scarring secondary to an in-service hernia repair remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's claims are supported by medical evidence showing current diagnoses of these conditions and a link between them and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to schizophrenia, which provides a greater benefit than nonservice-connected death pension. The earlier effective date claim is also granted.