Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia is reopened, and the Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection due to continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include schizophrenia (claimed as a residual of an in-service head injury) is granted. The Board finds the private psychologist report submitted by the Veteran indicates his diagnosed schizophrenia disability may be associated with his active service but that the record does not contain sufficient medical evidence to decide on the claim, thus necessitating a remand to the AOJ to obtain a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors. The conditions of interest include dental issues, hallux valgus of the feet, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right ankle condition, varicocele condition, low back condition, left knee condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headache condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, headache disability, hepatitis C, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and hypertension. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for spinal stenosis status-post lumbar laminectomy and PTSD due to incomplete records from SSA, VA medical records, and a need to obtain all relevant records. The Veteran's attorney pointed out that there are incomplete SSA records and recent VA medical records.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric condition, including PTSD. The claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for an increased rating for a low back disability is dismissed.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted.,The issue of service connection for type two diabetes mellitus and the acquired psychiatric condition (previously claimed as bipolar disorder, depression, and cyclothymic disorder) is remanded for additional development.,The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including intestinal condition (diverticulitis), skin disability (residuals of dermatitis venenata), right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, psychiatric disability (major depression), heart disability, and prostate disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these disabilities began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B and C, an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for postoperative residuals of December 1999 VA lumbar spine surgery due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have preexisted service and not been aggravated by service. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board concluded that there is no evidence of a stressor in service sufficient to cause PTSD.

The appeal of the issue of service connection for migraine headaches is dismissed. The claim to reopen a psychiatric disorder, including schizoid and bipolar disorders, is also dismissed as new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Board has determined a 70 percent disability rating is warranted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder throughout the period of the claim, subject to criteria applicable to payment of monetary benefits. The issue of entitlement to an increased initial rating for a heart disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for gout was withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were both denied as there is no evidence of current disability within one year after discharge from active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, thoracic spine, bilateral hip, left knee, and neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, all secondary to a right knee disability. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a vocational rehabilitation folder. The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for ovarian cyst condition with pelvic pain, as well as her claim for an initial 50 percent disability rating for acquired psychiatric disorder, will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder, NOS).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding private and Social Security Administration records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a heart disorder are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand five issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including rhinitis with itchy throat and pharyngitis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral glaucoma.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his hip and knee disabilities, Gulf War illness, and psychiatric disorders.