Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and dementia, to include a neurocognitive disorder with depression, anxiety and pain syndrome, as secondary to Parkinson's Disease. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including cancer of the left pharyngeal tonsil, ischemic heart disease, bilateral swelling of the feet, headaches, PTSD, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disability to include acid reflux, sleeping disorders to include sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder (chloracne), bleeding from the nose and mouth, tinnitus, an upper back and/or neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist fracture residuals, Peyronie's Disease, and urinary incontinence as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim of entitlement to service connection for depression was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service personnel records. A sleep apnea examination will be conducted to determine if the condition began in service or is related to service. An acquired psychiatric disorder examination will also be conducted to determine if any current psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an SOC addressing his claim for additional reimbursement under the FMP for medical treatment/services rendered in Poland.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin disability on the back is not related to his service and denied his claim. The psychiatric disability was also not related to service, as there were no in-service stressors identified.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, notifying the Veteran of his right to submit lay statements from himself and others who have first-hand knowledge of his in-service and post-service symptomatology regarding his claimed psychiatric disorder and headaches, scheduling a VA examination, and considering all evidence in deciding the issues on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), finding no current disabilities or evidence of in-service stressors. The low back disorder claim is not addressed as it was not part of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) and gastrointestinal disability have been granted. The PTSD is due to combat stressors during service, while the gastrointestinal issues are linked to his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder, is related to his active duty service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA psychiatric examination in order to determine if his current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service or active anxiety.

The Board granted an effective date of June 19, 2008 for the award of SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim was pending since December 17, 2001.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a supplemental VA opinion.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left hip disorder, as they are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ear disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and PTSD. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing in-service stressors or chronic conditions that could be presumed due to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, finding it related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and review of the evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence supports this determination.

The Board found that the Veteran is not competent to handle direct disbursement of his funds for VA purposes, based on evidence showing a history of mental health issues and substance abuse.