Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent for the period from June 19, 2013 to April 22, 2014. The rating for residuals of shrapnel wound to right hand remains at 10 percent. The Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Board has directed the VA to schedule a new psychiatric examination and review the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including securing a VA examination and scheduling a travel board hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and tension type headaches are also pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD, was granted effective December 2, 1980. This decision is based on new evidence that was not previously associated with her file when she initially filed her claim in October 1980.

The Veteran's PTSD and arthritis of the bilateral hips & knees are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is the result of a stressor during active military service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before the RO.

The Veteran was granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major depressive disorder with polysubstance dependence and substance induced mood disorder), but denied service connection for a throat disability and bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the dates of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA in 1986, and to obtain a VA examination for psychiatric disorders. The appellant's claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing before the Board due to the Veteran's request, and will handle any additional development or other appropriate actions in an expeditious manner.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed head injury, memory loss, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The Board found that the injuries occurred as a result of the Veteran's own willful misconduct involving alcohol abuse.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and denied the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disability, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran's GERD is considered to have had its onset in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise, finding a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder with onset during service and continuity since then. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a complete copy of the October 2012 private psychiatric examination report and providing an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service and any confirmed acquired psychiatric disorder(s).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, aneurysm, diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia and schizo-affective type disorder do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and TDIU. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was granted, but this does not affect the current issues as it is a complete grant of that claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability or a skin disability of the feet. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.