Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric symptoms, fatigue, skin rash, and headaches are not related to his service in the Persian Gulf War or any other service-connected condition. The criteria for service connection based on the provisions applicable to veterans of the Persian Gulf War were not met.

The Board found that a chronic psychiatric disorder was not manifested in service and is not related to service. The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the veteran's schizophrenia, finding that it produces occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain clarification on the relationship between the veteran's service and/or his service-connected disabilities and his psychiatric disabilities. The case will be reviewed again on both direct and secondary basis.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence and clarification of the extent of social and occupational impairment.

The veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 70 percent disabling, effective July 19, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including medical records from VA facilities and any relevant lay statements. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, gastroesophageal disease, respiratory condition (COPD), or right shoulder disability related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in previous denials and needs further development of records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia due to new and material evidence submitted since the December 1981 rating decision. The issue is now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for low back disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder) due to incomplete development of evidence, including failure to provide notice of revised rating criteria and additional VA examination. The veteran is also required to submit any pertinent evidence in his possession.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD and neither depression nor dysthymia was related to his service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence of a psychosis within one year post-service and concluding that the current psychiatric disabilities are not related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO level.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine arthritis is rated at 40 percent, and his ano-rectal fistula is rated at 10 percent. The other issues are resolved in the veteran's favor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder, and a thoracic spine disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his period of active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service, leading to a denial of his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's schizophrenia is not related to his military service and denied all claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD is not related to his military service, and a new VA examination is needed to clarify the nature and extent of any psychiatric disorder found to be present.