Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia renders him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his mental incapacity, which requires assistance with medication management and protection from daily hazards.

The Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was granted a rating of 50 percent prior to September 30, 2010. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating and TDIU were not addressed in this decision.

The Board has found no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disability in service or continuity of symptomatology after service. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's current cervical disability is less likely related to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, finding that the Veteran was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his condition is related to this exposure. The issues of entitlement to service connection for ED, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of November 26, 1979 for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD based on a claimed in-service stressor related to military sexual trauma. The Veteran's right leg disability and stomach condition are also found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from his treatment providers since separation from active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and South Shore Hospital records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this is done.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that there is no evidence of a psychosis during or soon after service and concluding that his current schizophrenia did not begin in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left upper extremity neurological disorder was not incurred in active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and left ear hearing loss. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, and there is no combat experience to establish service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f). Service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disability and left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year thereafter. The current low back disability is less likely caused by his military service.,Insomnia and neuropsychiatric disorders are also not service-connected, with the Veteran's conditions more likely related to post-military incarceration rather than service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and depression, is service connected as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. His bilateral foot disability is also service connected. The RO reduced the rating for his low back disability from 40% to 20%, effective July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling error for his requested videoconference hearing. The claims will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals and claims, including the bladder cancer claim and the schizophrenia effective date claim.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including upper cervical strain, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and several psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The Board has ordered a remand to address these issues due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran will also undergo a VA examination to assess her allergic rhinitis and a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of regular aid and attendance, necessitating special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a Statement of the Case on his service connection claims and verifying herbicide exposure. If verified, he will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current asthma disability is related to herbicide exposure during service.