Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus, a neck disorder, and skin disorders, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or exposure to herbicides. The diagnoses provided by the medical records did not support these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for schizophrenia due to new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for PTSD remains pending as no stressor events have been corroborated.

The veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and further clarification of the nature of his mental disorder(s) and their relationship to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disability, teeth #1, 17, 21, 28, and 32, and a psychiatric disorder (depression). The veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions associated with his active military duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, stomach disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cellulitis and tinea barbae. The reasons are that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. Service connection was also granted for hypertension and arthritis of the knees.

The veteran's psychiatric disability and alcohol dependence were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claim for service connection for alcohol dependence must be denied as it was received after November 1990.

The Board has granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and denied service connection for a seizure disorder. The veteran's paranoid schizophrenia is presumed to have occurred in service, while the seizure disorder was not found during or after service.

The Board granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and assigned a 50 percent disability rating, effective from May 2002. The veteran's condition is characterized by flat affect, some trouble focusing thoughts, some tension, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships.

The Board found new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, as no information was provided regarding whether the pre-existing condition increased in disability during service.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, did not have its onset during service and was not aggravated by service. The pre-existing condition of schizophrenia existed prior to service and continued after discharge.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder did not begin during or as a result of his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board has determined that the issue should be remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if PTSD is related to in-service experiences or other conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, resulting in a denial of his request.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, is secondary to his service-connected pruritis ani with IBS. The decision affords the veteran the benefit of doubt in this matter.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records, conducting VA examinations, and ensuring compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a mental disorder and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a bilateral foot disorder are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted an increased rating to 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected prostatitis and urethritis, effective from when the condition was first noted. The other issues remain pending.