Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right and left ankle, and bilateral knee disorders are related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to his in-service parachute jumps.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD. The issue of asthma was also addressed and denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, a back disability, and a right hip disability. The evidence did not support that these conditions were related to service.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The psychiatric disability was rated at 70 percent from March 18, 2014, forward.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia does not currently present a serious employment handicap, and her previous occupation as an office operations specialist is suitable for her current needs. Therefore, she is not entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling medical examinations, and considering new evidence.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include all acquired psychiatric disorders and is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service hospitalization records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional stressor verification and a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and schizophrenia, did not exist prior to service or was not aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headaches and acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service-connected disabilities, granting these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's left testicle removal was not incurred during or as a result of any event or occurrence during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his personnel records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for a heart murmur and migraine headaches have been dismissed. The case is remanded to consider her claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, right shoulder, left foot, and left lower leg disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence. The claim for increased rating for residuals of left ankle fracture was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability related to the Veteran's service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for COPD. The issue of hypertension is denied as there was no indication of a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his presumed in-service herbicide exposure. Service connection for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a hearing, as requested by the Veteran. The appeal is not yet resolved.

The Board granted service connection for schizophrenia effective from the date of the claim, February 8, 2011. The Veteran's earlier claims were denied and not reopened prior to this decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as Other Specified Trauma Stress-Related Disorder (OSTSRD). The appeal is dismissed for the issue of service connection for vestibular disorder, to include Meniere's disease, due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of all acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's dissociative identity disorder and PTSD are being evaluated in relation to an alleged in-service personal assault.