Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from March 3, 1997 to March 6, 1997 was denied because the treatment did not meet the criteria for a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, periodontal disease, disability manifested by facial tic, constant ramming of the tongue and jaw movements, psychiatric disability, open angle glaucoma, bilateral arm weakness, and polyneuropathy of the feet as secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis. The Board also denied entitlement to an increased evaluation for generalized sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder, including postoperative lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, developed during service and is therefore granted service connection. The claim for PTSD will be addressed in a separate decision.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for nicotine dependence is denied. The RO will conduct further development and readjudicate the issues, including considering Fenderson v. West (1999) with respect to the veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bronchitis.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the appellant's psychiatric condition and hearing loss, as well as his left knee disorder. The VA will need to obtain additional evidence from the appellant and provide him with a supplemental statement of the case if benefits are not granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and changes in the law, requiring additional development of the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that is related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, a gynecological disorder, a psychiatric disorder, tinnitus with vertigo, rhinitis, sinusitis, a dermatological disorder defined as acne or eczema vulgaris, and fibromyalgia. The RO also denied an increased disability rating for service-connected joint pain and stiffness of the right hand, right wrist, and both knees, as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has reopened the claim, but denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including anxiety neurosis and schizophrenia. The appellant's testimony provided new evidence that was not previously considered.

The veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including depressive neurosis, major depression or bipolar disorder was reopened. However, the issue remains denied as it is not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. However, the veteran is granted a 50% evaluation for bilateral pes cavus.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination, is needed to properly adjudicate his claim.

The veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher rating for dermatitis. The decision is mixed, with some issues granted and others not.

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The case is being remanded due to issues related to verifying alleged stressors and determining whether PTSD can be diagnosed based on these events.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his inservice exposure to petroleum products, and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. The claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board found that the veteran did not receive a blood transfusion during his March 1990 back surgery, and thus denied entitlement to benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hepatitis acquired from a tainted blood transfusion. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Personality Disorder) secondary to VA treatment for hepatitis was also denied as there is no evidence of such a condition in service or within one year after separation. Service connection for the residuals of a back and leg injury and an eye disorder were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that any current psychiatric condition is not related to his period of service.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia with PTSD effective May 10, 1996.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that it is not well grounded.