Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and no link between any diagnosed condition and military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia, finding that his disorder did not begin in service or within one year after service and is not related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back condition, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) are not causally related to her active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including recent VA treatment records and private treatment records. The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from a current chronic acquired psychiatric disability and concluded that his psychiatric symptomatology is due to a personality disorder, which is not a disease under VA law and regulations.

The veteran's schizophrenia is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Board found that his service-connected disability alone did not render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder in September 1987. The claim was reopened, but new and material evidence has not been presented to substantiate the claim.

The Board has ordered the RO to attempt to obtain VA treatment records from a Berwick, Pennsylvania VAMC and to provide the veteran with a VA psychiatric examination. The appeal will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining service medical records and VA outpatient treatment records to determine if there is a nexus between current gastrointestinal or psychiatric conditions and service. The veteran's claims for hiatal hernia and PTSD will be reviewed based on the new evidence.

The Board's April 1, 1983 decision denying TDIU benefits is void ab initio due to failure to consider the applicable regulations for reduction of a total disability rating. The TDIU rating was restored as of July 1, 1981.

The Board denied service connection for emphysema, a psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression), and arthritis of the joints. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 18, 1988 for a grant of a total disability evaluation. The veteran was granted service connection for right below-the-knee amputation but not for other conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claim seeking service connection for a psychiatric disability (other than PTSD).

The RO determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, as it did not indicate that the veteran's psychiatric disorder was related to service.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service and the veteran did not present with symptoms of an anxiety disorder or depression. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to conflicting opinions on the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder, as well as potential new treatment records. Additionally, SSA medical records are needed for consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran was not entitled to service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including residuals of gonorrhea, kidney disease, Peyronie's disease, hypothyroidism, and a psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder), for purposes of accrued benefits.

The veteran's asthma was found to have been aggravated by service, warranting service connection. However, the initial rating for his lumbosacral strain is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for glaucoma, arthritis, and a psychiatric disability to include major depression and PTSD due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records. The veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability will be remanded for these actions.