Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder based on new and material evidence submitted since the previous denial in 1979.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of carbon monoxide poisoning, brain damage/mental disorder due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and ear infection. The veteran's claims were not reopened.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a skeletal system disorder to include spinal arthritis and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression.

The Board is remanding the case to address whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The character of discharge during the veteran's last period of active service will also be addressed.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of schizophrenia, finding that new evidence submitted since the final denial in 1967 bears directly on the matter and is significant enough to consider.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health records from service and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any existing mental disorder is related to symptoms in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and noting that the evidence does not show a chronic condition resulting from service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to schedule a hearing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for the residuals of hepatitis B and a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further development regarding service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disorder is not service-connected. The RO also denied an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran is seeking service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, which he claims is due to exposure to Agent Orange. The case has been remanded for additional development of the medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's experiences in Southeast Asia, including witnessing a fatal accident and the death of his 'pilot', are credible and supported by service records. The medical evidence also supports a link between these stressors and the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the appellant's psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and organic brain disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active duty for training. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The case is being remanded to the AMC for additional development, including obtaining records from 'Anaheim' and Workman's Compensation claims. The VA doctor will provide an opinion on the date of onset and etiology of the veteran's schizophrenia.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and remanded the case for further development, including verification of a claimed in-service stressor and a VA psychiatric examination. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining psychiatric records from Dr. LaBorder and ensuring all necessary actions are taken.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 5, 1992 for the grant of service connection for PTSD with schizophrenia. The decision found that there was no pending claim prior to October 5, 1992, which could have resulted in such a benefit.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is based on new and material evidence submitted by the appellant.