Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was denied in February 1974 due to personality disorder. The appellant is not entitled to DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as the Veteran did not have ten years of total compensation for a service-connected disability before his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, cyclothymia, and personality disorder, is being remanded due to the need for an adequate medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD was caused by fear of hostile military activity during his service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and Multiple Personality Disorder), alcohol abuse, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition. The decision is mixed as some issues have been granted while others were not.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying dates of service. The appeal will be referred to the AOJ for appropriate action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his in-service head injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, and respiratory disorder (COPD). The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow fragment tip is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for his left shoulder condition, bilateral eye conditions, hearing loss, hypertension, and lipomas are granted. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was caused in part by service events and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is found to have started during active service and is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence of a chronic knee disability in service, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection based on continuity of symptomatology. The claim for bilateral knee disability is denied.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD) is found to be unrelated to active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions regarding his neck injury, head injury residuals, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including paranoid-type schizophrenia and a mood disorder, are related to his service-connected left knee disorders. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions under the provisions of secondary service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disability, residuals of a pilonidal cyst and surgery, left ear hearing loss, and bilateral lower extremity disability. The underlying de novo claims for service connection for hypertension and hyperlipidemia are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing request and scheduling issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depressive disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current psychiatric symptoms and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records, authorization for release of medical records, and a statement of the case for the diabetes mellitus claim.