Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as his second period of service was terminated under dishonorable conditions, precluding compensation benefits. The appeal for a psychiatric disability related to the first period of service is also denied due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to service.

The Board denied service connection for stomach, gallbladder, psychiatric, and headache disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including sending a VCAA letter to the veteran regarding service connection for a mental disorder and adjudicating the claims of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and the claims for increased evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the record, including obtaining records of psychiatric treatment prior to service and any evaluations during employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran is competent for VA benefit purposes based on consistent findings of competency from medical evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to in-service stressful events and reports of depression during service, thus granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and nonservice-connected pension due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The veteran's service-connected schizophrenia is characterized by occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks due to symptoms such as panic attacks, sleep impairment, and short-term memory problems. The current rating of 30 percent fully contemplates his impairment.

The Board dismissed the appeal as moot because a separate reconsideration decision granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, which replaced the previous denial. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition remains denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia, and the claim is granted.

The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but a remand is required to comply with VCAA requirements and to obtain a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder present in service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's schizophrenia, including depression, is currently evaluated at a 50 percent disability rating. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-concussion syndrome with migraine headaches and schizophrenia, both secondary to blunt head trauma in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, warranting a 30% evaluation for this disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and requests for additional information from the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder with schizoid features (schizophrenia) and finds that it is warranted based on evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and further development as requested by the veteran.