Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including opinions regarding whether his psychiatric disorder and back disability are caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims of in-service personal assault or PTSD due to service. The VA examiners concluded that his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and a personality disorder, were not related to service.

The Veteran was granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD effective January 7, 2008. The Board also granted TDIU benefits since January 14, 2003 and denied the remaining claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a low back disability or PTSD incurred in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The status of the other claims (GERD, athlete's foot, and lumbar spine disorder) is unknown.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia, is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, and he is now eligible for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities remain on appeal.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim regarding his character of discharge and is now remanding it for further development. The appeal is also remanded to address the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder for treatment purposes only under Title 38, United States Code, Chapter 17.

The Board has remanded the case for a new hearing due to the Veteran's son not having authority to withdraw the request and because of his mental state, which may affect his ability to participate in the hearing.

The evidence shows that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and depression, have resulted in only occasional occupational and social impairment with intermittent decreases in work efficiency. The current rating of 30 percent is deemed sufficient to reflect these symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was not incurred in service due to lack of credible supporting evidence for a claimed in-service stressor. The acquired psychiatric disorder is considered new and material as it relates to his service experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizophrenia, is related to active duty service and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depression was denied as there is no credible evidence to support the claimed in-service stressors, and his current psychiatric conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to a need for additional VA examination and evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran now has epiphyseal aseptic necrosis of the tibial tubercles, which could be indicative of active Osgood-Schlatter's Disease. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and arthritis of the knees are also pending as they may be related to OSD.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent for chondromalacia of the right knee, effective October 1, 2009, was proper based on improvement in his condition as shown by VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and lower extremity radiculopathy, have been granted. The Veteran served in combat and has a diagnosed PTSD.