Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing at his prison facility and issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent since December 8, 2009. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence shows that his symptoms meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted service connection. The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral hearing loss are not found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's lung disability was denied during service, and the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability has not been reopened.

The Board found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder that is related to service, and the Veteran's personality disorder was not aggravated by service. The Veteran's substance dependence is also not shown to be secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including a right thumb fracture and eye disorders. The Board finds that additional examinations are needed to assess these claims due to the lack of recent medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA/mental health clinic treatment records. A mental health examination is also required to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus remains November 30, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Mayaguez VA OPC and reviewing new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records. The focus is on his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic feet disability, and hives.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability or skin condition, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's neuropsychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and/or depression, was caused or aggravated by his service-connected meningitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of a panic disorder with depressive disorder is related to his military service, as it was aggravated by in-service stressors and pre-existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that a current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of a facial fracture. The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's low back disorder, right thumb disorder, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and headaches are found to be related to service. The psychiatric disorder (inclusive of PTSD) is also granted as it is considered a direct result of service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, a pulmonary disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his skin disability and psychiatric disabilities. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred or aggravated during active service and denied his claim for service connection. His acquired psychiatric disorder to include personality disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the exact nature of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and its relationship to service.