Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2005

The veteran was granted a 100 percent rating from April 12, 1993. Prior to that date, he received a 70 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, disability of the knees, left elbow, and feet, a psychiatric disability including anxiety disorder and depression, and vertigo. The appeals were all denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of these previously denied claims.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the appellant does not have a current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, that is service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding that any such condition was incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, and a lumbosacral strain. The veteran's mental health issues are believed to have begun in childhood, while his physical back condition is attributed to a motor vehicle accident.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and a psychiatric condition (to include post-traumatic stress disorder), as well as his claim for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits. The issues were remanded to the RO, but further action has not been taken on these matters.

The veteran's claims for service connection, nonservice-connected disability pension benefits, and special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance are being remanded due to incomplete medical records. Additional development is needed including obtaining VA treatment records from January 2003 to January 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for VCAA compliance.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection were denied as the conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and residuals of hepatitis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran experienced a sexual assault during service, which resulted in PTSD. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current dementia is unrelated to his service, and there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia is service-connected, and he does not have flat feet, a low back disorder, a vision disorder, a throat disorder, a left side injury, or a bilateral ankle disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection and granted them, finding new and material evidence. The veteran now has a claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder and psychosis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, which was previously denied in October 1996.

The Board has ordered additional development of the record due to missing service medical records and treatment records. The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability will be reconsidered after this information is obtained.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C with diarrhea and chronic fatigue, finding that the veteran's current condition was not caused by any incident of service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety, was also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are granted, with diagnoses of various conditions and a finding of direct service connection. The veteran is not entitled to service connection based on exposure to herbicides or other presumptive conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 and an increased rating for his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for her right shoulder disability, service connection for a neuropsychiatric condition, and service connection for facial trauma.,There is no evidence of any current neuropsychiatric or facial trauma conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, resulting in a denial.