Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia is not service-connected, but finds that his right ear tinnitus and hearing loss may have aggravated his pre-existing schizophrenia. The decision on secondary service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Service connection has been established for depression, headaches, and left rib injury residuals.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, which represents a full grant of this benefit sought on appeal. The Veteran's current right hip disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, did not have their onset in service or within one year of his discharge from service and are not otherwise related to his period of active service.

The Veteran was awarded special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance in December 2003, effective May 28, 2003. The appellant seeks accrued benefits for this increased monetary benefit but it has been determined that the payment was made.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board found that the appellant's current psychiatric disorders did not begin during his military service and are not otherwise related to his active duty. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for paranoid schizophrenia was granted, but the effective date of service connection remains July 31, 2010. The Veteran also sought an earlier effective date for his service-connected condition and that request was denied.

The Board granted service connection for a deviated septum and PTSD, finding that new evidence had been submitted to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was denied in June 2008, but new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. Service connection is granted for left and right knee disabilities due to a motor vehicle accident in 1983. The rating assigned is 10% for each knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the scheduling of VA examinations to determine the etiology of his prostate cancer and any acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ will also consider possible Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is not etiologically related to his active service. The residuals of a nose fracture have also been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The case is being remanded for further development and re-adjudication, including obtaining additional medical records, addressing the Veteran's TDIU claim, and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), left knee disability, kidney disorder, and hypertension. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his service-connected disabilities and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board is unable to determine whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder. The right knee issue remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia alone did not result in a need for regular aid and attendance. The evidence shows that his physical disorders, such as balance issues and incontinence, caused the need for regular aid and assistance.