Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied as there is no evidence of additional disability resulting from VA treatment in April and May of 2007.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied, as the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.,Service connection for hypertension was also denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an October 2017 VA examination report finding that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD under DSM-V. The claim is now pending again.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability was established in a previous decision, but no new evidence has been provided to support or refute this determination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, and he has a compensable disability rating for hearing loss in the left ear. The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease of the legs is rated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings due to lack of ulceration or massive edema.,Service connection is denied for sleep disorder (presumably insomnia) as secondary to service-connected peripheral vascular disease of the legs. Service connection is also denied for left shoulder pain as not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran withdrew the service connection claim for non-24 sleep circadian rhythm with migraine headaches, photophobia, extreme nausea and vomiting (also claimed as 'sleep disorder-circadian rhythm'). The case is remanded for further development regarding the acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type was granted as of May 14, 2009, the day following his discharge from active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia, also claimed as depression, began in service and persists to this day. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current major depressive disorder is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claim for increased rating of left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, knee disorders, and an acquired mental disorder. The decision found that the Veteran's self-inflicted gunshot wound was due to willful misconduct, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current knee or mental health conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for bladder cancer and psychiatric disorder, including major depression under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 on the basis of claimed residuals of treatment provided at a VA medical facility have not progressed further.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for major depression and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, specifically schizophrenia, is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition was incurred or aggravated by military service. The Board also found no indication of a TBI during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI. Regarding hearing loss, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded due to a need for another medical opinion and consideration of arguments regarding potential service connection based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and considering new evidence. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and acquired psychiatric disability are inextricably intertwined with one another.

The Board found that there was new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection for schizophrenia, but denied the allegation of clear and unmistakable error in the July 1974 rating decision. The Veteran's preexisting schizophrenia is presumed to have been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia, has been reopened. The Board finds that the current acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD (schizophrenia) was incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination related to his claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and right hand disabilities. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia. The Board also finds that the Veteran's schizophrenia is related to his in-service border patrol incident, thus granting service connection.