Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death, a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, is related to his active military service and grants DIC benefits. The appeal for nonservice-connected death pension is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service connection claim for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and stress is granted as the evidence shows that his condition was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and sleep apnea. The VA will also obtain updated medical records and schedule him for a new examination.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, low back disability, or hypertension. The Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and to obtain records from service personnel.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and insufficient opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is related to in-service stressors. The VA has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, but the effective dates are not specified. The Veteran remains entitled to a separate rating for his painful and unstable amputation scar of the right hand index finger prior to October 23, 2008, and to an initial compensable rating thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, and because there was no service in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to in-service military sexual trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disability, or low back disability that is related to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder was resolved in 2000 and no longer meets the criteria for service connection. The bilateral knee and low back disabilities are found to be less likely proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability has been rated at 70 percent since January 25, 2011.,His lumbar spine surgery required a temporary total rating from April 1, 2011 to July 18, 2011.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder. However, the case is still pending as it needs further development and examination.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding questions regarding the current diagnosis and etiology of the appellant's psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The case is therefore REMANDED for further medical opinion from a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder, is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying in-service stressors and obtaining VA medical records.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, and his symptoms do not meet the criteria for PTSD.,There is no evidence of a current right arm disability manifested by numbness and tingling that is related to service-connected shoulder strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric and counseling records, VA treatment records, and a new VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are to be evaluated with consideration of their onset during service or relation to any in-service disease, event, or injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, was granted. The claim for service connection for eczema of the hands is also granted.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection was not granted for a chronic fatigue disorder as there is no evidence of record supporting such a claim.