Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic prostatitis is granted. The Board finds that the veteran has a current diagnosis of chronic prostatitis and there is sufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptoms since discharge from military service.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that his current psychiatric disorders are related to his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as his symptoms do not include more severe manifestations such as delusions, hallucinations, or significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, chronic sinusitis, a psychiatric disorder (including post-traumatic stress disorder), a chronic pulmonary disorder, prostatitis with benign prostatic hypertrophy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and heart disease. The appeals were also addressed regarding reopening of claims for arthritis, back disorder, and ulcer.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disability during service or for many years thereafter, and thus denied her claim of entitlement to service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and VCAA compliance.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that it did not arise during or as a result of his military service.

The veteran is found incompetent for handling VA funds due to his service-connected mental health conditions, specifically schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain the appellant's VA medical records since April 2002 and to arrange for a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review after these actions are completed.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric disorder to his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a search of service department records. The appellant's claims for cervical spondylosis, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board granted an effective date of July 27, 1999 for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia. The veteran's claim was initially denied in August 1997 and reopened on May 11, 2000. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (effective date) while others remain pending.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current psychiatric or stomach disabilities to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's undifferentiated schizophrenia is currently rated at 50 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The veteran remains unemployed due to his mental health condition but may be employable in certain jobs.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of exposure to ionizing radiation or herbicides and insufficient credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors related to PTSD.

The veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, that is related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and an increased rating for bilateral ingrown toenails due to lack of credible evidence supporting the claimed stressors in service.