Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral knee disability was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably existed prior to active duty service and was not aggravated by such service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and substance abuse, do not meet the criteria for service connection due to inconsistencies in his statements about in-service events and lack of a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, dysthymia and depressive disorder NOS, a back disability, hypertension, and prostate cancer. The acquired psychiatric disorder is presumed due to herbicide exposure during the Gulf War. Service connection was denied for edema of the lower extremities, heart disability, and dental condition.

The Veteran's kidney stones manifested to a compensable degree within one year of service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's degenerative neurologic disorder, including essential tremors or a central nervous system disorder, was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including review of VA treatment records and an updated medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and VA clinic records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disability and acquired psychiatric disability, requiring additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a diagnosis within one year of separation from active service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as it was not addressed by the RO.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability and psychiatric disability. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the cause of death (propoxyphene intoxication) is not considered to be related to VA treatment. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for propoxyphene intoxication is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, allergies, hepatitis, sleep disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia has been rated at 100 percent disabling prior to February 4, 2011, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, or a low back disability. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD based on in-service stressors and there is no current diagnosed psychiatric disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia with sociopathic traits, is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been received since the December 2009 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 14, 1992 for the grant of service connection for paranoid schizophrenia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examination and medical opinions to address the etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders.