Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than service-connected dysthymic disorder), to include PTSD, has been withdrawn. The issues of a TDIU rating and an increased rating for GERD with hiatal hernia are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, specifically addressing the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of an eye disability. The Board found no evidence linking any current disabilities, including a psychiatric disorder, to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed conditions, finding that they were not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected schizophrenia, paranoid type, is already rated at 100 percent disabling since August 13, 1976. Therefore, an effective date earlier than October 3, 1989 for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected schizophrenic reaction, chronic, undifferentiated type did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent. The Veteran was also denied entitlement to TDIU as his condition did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran did not meet the minimum criteria for TDIU due to a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms are not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development due to an administrative error in contacting him. The case will be readjudicated after all relevant records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's schizophrenia. The issues of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia and total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability are now before the RO.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a skin condition, low back disability, and mental disorder. The claim for periarticular sclerosis of the right hip is denied as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD has been remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and service personnel records.

The Veteran's TMJ disability is not service-connected, and the Board finds that her psychiatric disability is less likely than not caused or aggravated by her TMJ disability or service-connected hypertension with headaches. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records since February 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the RO.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and left shoulder disability are found to be service-connected. The Veteran is granted a combined rating of 50 percent for her bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service and supported by credible evidence. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending as its basis is unclear.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety), bilateral hip disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disability have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active duty service or secondary to his service-connected low back sprain.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from 2009.