Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD and no credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors. The examiner concluded that the veteran does not currently suffer from PTSD.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, but found no evidence linking any current psychiatric condition to service.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder incurred as a result of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include depression, and initial compensable disability ratings for right and left knee strains.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are reasonably attributable to service, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for a 70% rating for schizophrenia and TDIU, finding no evidence of an earlier claim or entitlement.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, somatoform pain disorder, and stomach disorder. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired neuropsychiatric disorder, finding that it is not traceable to military service.

The Board dismissed the veteran's motion for revision due to clear and unmistakable error in their June 13, 2005 decision denying service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The motion was withdrawn by the veteran's representative before the Board could make a final decision.

The veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his schizophrenia was granted service connection prior to January 14, 1999. His schizophrenia is also currently rated at 50% from that date.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric disorder, arthritis of the feet, shoulders, and back disability to service. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied as there is no competent evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed chronic acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than post-traumatic stress disorder and metabolic myopathy due to PFK deficiency. The veteran's current cardiac pathology is attributed to non-service connected disabilities, which affects his claim for an increased evaluation for mitral valve prolapse since January 12, 1998.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection. The claim for an increased rating for acne of the face and scalp was also denied, as the medical evidence did not show that the condition warranted a higher rating than 30 percent. Regarding the earlier effective date for the 30 percent rating, the Board found that no competent medical evidence existed for the one-year period prior to October 19, 1998, which would have supported an earlier effective date.

The Board found that the veteran's dysthymic disorder was not incurred in or related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for a psychiatric disability has been dismissed without prejudice due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from a heart disability, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The issues of residuals of an excised lip mucocele, residuals of an excised left preauricular sebaceous cyst, and psychiatric disability are also addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an increased rating for residuals of circumcision. The claim for service connection was based on secondary service connection, but the examiner did not provide sufficient evidence to support this theory.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the appellant's service-connected fibromyalgia. The claim for a TDIU is remanded and will be reconsidered in light of this new determination.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and thus cannot establish service connection.