Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear findings and a need for clarification on whether the symptoms of schizophrenia are attributable to service or other causes. The Veteran's claim will be further developed before being adjudicated again.

The Board found no evidence of a left shoulder disorder, bilateral knee or hip disorders, head injury, or scar on head incurred during service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied as the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination by a psychiatrist to determine if PTSD is related to service in Vietnam and whether any other diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and VA treatment records. A VA psychiatric examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including acid reflux, back disability, fibromyalgia, sinus condition, hearing loss, blurring in both eyes, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD, depression, anxiety), cartilage loss in both knees, gout in ankles and feet, and chronic left ankle fracture. The Board found that the evidence did not support a service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been denied as there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between her current psychiatric condition and her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to service connection and exposure claims, as well as new evidence submission.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus is a result of noise exposure during ACDUTRA and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations for his claimed conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but further development is needed before the merits of the claim can be addressed.

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 of his VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The evidence does not establish a diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to service, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for such diagnoses in VA examinations. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing schizophrenia was not aggravated during military service beyond normal progression. The most probative evidence did not show a psychiatric disability incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's current psychiatric disorder(s) and its/their relationship to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen his left knee disability claim. The psychiatric disorder and acid reflux claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for service-connected left forearm scars has been granted, with the effective date set at May 12, 2009. The earlier effective date claim for the 40 percent disability rating for the service-connected back disability was not met.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction are found to be service-connected. The claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for erectile dysfunction resulting from VA medical care is denied due to anti-pyramiding regulations.

The appellant seeks DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death or under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, alleging that VA treatment during her hospitalization contributed to her death. The Board finds the VA opinion inadequate and requires an advisory medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and Social Security Administration records.