Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right ring finger disability is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting unfavorable ankylosis and limited range of motion. The left knee condition remains at the lowest possible rating due to its current status.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and that his psychiatric conditions are not related to service. The Board also noted that the Veteran's personality disorder began during adolescence and continued through adulthood, which is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claims for increased rating for paranoid schizophrenia with alcohol dependence and temporary evaluation of 100 percent pursuant to 38 C.F.R. � 4.29 for hospitalization from May 2005 to August 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) including major depressive disorder is also found to be related to his back disability and service connection is granted.

The Veteran has been found to have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, which the Board finds is related to his military service. Therefore, he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a sleep disorder, and thus service connection for a sleep disorder, to include insomnia and sleep apnea, as secondary to service-connected lumbar osteoarthritis, is denied. The psychiatric disorder claim remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran is found not competent to handle the disbursement of VA benefits due to mental incapacity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability diagnosed in service or related to his active service. The Board also found that the Veteran's major depressive disorder did not appear to be caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for hepatitis C, PTSD, and MRSA. The new evidence submitted since the August 2007 rating decision is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's preexisting paranoid schizophrenia was aggravated during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder or lumbar spine disorder that was incurred in service. The Veteran's self-reported back pain during service and the absence of any diagnosed condition do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder claim is moot due to a full grant of benefits. The respiratory disorder claim remains denied as there is no evidence of asbestos exposure during service and the current disorders are not causally related.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and symptoms have not been continuous since service. The Board also found no medical evidence linking his current psychiatric disorder to service, including harassment by a sergeant during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and referral to the Director of Compensation Service. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including psychotic disorder NOS and paranoid schizophrenia, is being remanded due to the need for further development of his whereabouts and medical records. The Board will attempt to locate him and obtain necessary treatment records before determining if he has a current psychiatric disorder related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records from Gainesville VA Medical Center dated between 2005 and 2012. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is currently pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder), but finds that further development is needed before these claims can be decided on their merits.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied it due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran's claim for increased rating for keloid scar was also denied. Service connection for TDIU is not addressed as it relates to a different issue.