Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the death of the service member was not in line of duty due to willful misconduct, but a new review by the Department of the Army suggests it should be considered in line of duty. The appellant contends that the Veteran suffered from psychiatric disabilities as a result of his service which led to drug overdose. The Board now requires a VA medical opinion to determine if the drug abuse was caused or aggravated by a service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD; and initial ratings for left ankle and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition had its onset during service. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a respiratory disorder has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision. The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tumors of the feet, hypercholesterolemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, back disorder, and arthritis have all been denied. The effective dates are not specified as they were part of earlier rating decisions that were not appealed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and for further medical examinations. The obesity claim is also remanded as it may be related to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to a current disability that began during active service.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied. The Veteran will need further VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and a back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's TBI, acquired psychiatric disability, and headache disability are all found to have begun during service. However, the diabetes mellitus is not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for prostate disorder and psychiatric disability due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) as it was not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for left ankle tendonitis and has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to military sexual trauma (PTSD). The Veteran's claim for PTSD is being remanded because VA did not provide proper notice regarding personal assault claims, and additional efforts are needed to verify her alleged stressors.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and gastrointestinal disability (including gastroenteritis). However, it has granted service connection for a migraine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder).,Service connection is also being remanded for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports, specifically regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remand requires a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the lack of available service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to a back disability), and hemorrhoids. The Veteran's claim for prostate cancer and sleep disorder are also remanded.

The Veteran's hyperacusis, analogous to tinnitus, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted service connection. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his fracture right clavicle disability and the issues related to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is shown to have been productive of total occupational and social impairment as of January 11, 2003. An effective date for the 100% rating prior to this date is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obtaining outstanding VA treatment records, including those scanned into the VA hospital’s imaging system.