Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, has been granted. The cervical spine, left knee, right knee, and headaches (including migraines) claims are pending and need further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic paranoid schizophrenia and PTSD was granted with an effective date of September 30, 1998. The issue of earlier effective date for DEA benefits is inextricably intertwined with the rating assigned for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety). The denial was based on lack of new and material evidence, as well as insufficient evidence to establish that any current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of vertigo and/or staggering, nor did he during the appeal period. The claim for service connection is denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was evaluated as level II in both ears at all relevant points in time, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's stomach problems are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's chest problems are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology.,The Veteran's headaches are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's right leg condition is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology.,The Veteran's left leg condition is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new evidence submitted since the December 2008 rating decision. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism are also REMANDED as there is insufficient medical evidence on file to make a determination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee pain, Achilles tendonitis (claimed as bilateral heel pain), a sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral artery disease, stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, heart condition (pacemaker, heart attack, stints [sic], bypass, dying heart/complete vascular system failing), and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and anxiety with panic attacks).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee, lumbar spine, and psychiatric disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The VA is required to obtain relevant medical records, verify in-service stressors, and provide further examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 15, 2010. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The claim for service connection for PTSD is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including schizophrenia, is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and lower left extremity peripheral neuropathy have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, has been granted as it is linked to his military service.,Service connection was established for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) due to the Veteran's reported experiences in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia was denied in 2001, and the Board finds no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral knee disability. The Veteran's claim for psychiatric disorder was denied as there is no competent medical evidence to show that he has any diagnosed psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his active military service. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was granted, and the Board found that agent fees in excess of $97.60 are not warranted due to a lack of timely notice of disagreement on the issue.

The Veteran's son, G.B., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to various disabilities and thus meets the criteria for recognition as a helpless child.