Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD or depression, attributable to his military service.,Regarding the back disorder and bilateral hearing loss claims, there is no evidence of such conditions during active duty. The RO will attempt to obtain additional VA medical records for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that was incurred in service. The VA examiner found no nexus between his current psychiatric disorders and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for clarification on whether the veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorder was aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The veteran's schizophrenia was rated at 30 percent prior to October 6, 2004 and granted a higher evaluation of 70 percent after that date. The claim for TDIU benefits is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and gastritis. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for either condition.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder did not have onset during service, a psychosis was not manifested within one year of separation from service, and any current psychiatric disorder is unrelated to in-service findings of personality disorder, alcoholism, and depression. As such, service connection for a psychiatric disorder cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining additional VA medical records and readjudicating the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his low back disorder and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, a left foot disorder (claimed as a left foot infection), and a seizure disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for otitis externa, alopecia, right foot numbness, and a psychiatric disorder due to undiagnosed illness have been denied as the conditions are not considered undiagnosed illnesses.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding a compensable rating for latent schizophrenia during his hearing, thus the Board does not have jurisdiction to review this issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not eligible for fee-basis medical care due to the VAMC's capability of providing the required psychiatric care, despite his assertion that only a specific therapist can provide effective treatment.

The Board denied additional compensation benefits prior to July 8, 1965 due to the veteran not having a specific claim for increased benefits by reason of dependents.

The Board finds that the veteran's schizophrenia did not have its onset in service and is not related to his active duty. The claim for an increased evaluation of residuals of a dorsal and lumbosacral spine disability remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was aggravated during service. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if the veteran currently suffers from PTSD.

The veteran's attorney is eligible for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits resulting from the award of a 70 percent evaluation for schizophrenia and a TDIU rating, effective from April 2004.

The VA determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability did not have its onset during service and is not etiologically related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and scheduling of VA examinations.