Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cyst of the scrotum, prostatitis, rhinitis, headaches, nerve condition and muscle twitching, psychiatric disability, skin rash, joint and muscle pain, and digestive problems. The appeal is considered 'denied' as all issues were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia and whether it renders him in need of aid and attendance or results in housebound status. The effective date is not addressed as this is currently involved.

The veteran's service-connected schizophrenia is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of disability. The claim for TDIU was also denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia and PTSD are related to his military service, while hepatitis is not shown to be related to his service. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include schizophrenia and PTSD) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify the veteran's claimed stressors and obtain clarification of the medical opinions regarding his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder has been reopened. The RO must now review the complete evidentiary record and undertake any additional development if necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus due to noise exposure during active military service. However, the veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD remain pending as they have not been resolved yet.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder with drug addiction was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and thus denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and denied service connection for residuals of right ankle sprains and residuals of left ankle sprains.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no clear evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, right eye disorders, and left eye disorders did not have their onset during active service or result from disease or injury in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, was incurred in active military service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD related to his service and that any psychiatric disorder is not due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claim for TDIU has also been denied as there is no evidence showing he is unemployable.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and his psychiatric disability, to include schizophrenia and major depression, is not related to service.

The Board denied both the claim for an increased rating for right thumb fracture residuals and the claim for service connection for schizophrenia. The veteran's right thumb fractures did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation, and his schizophrenia was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, finding no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for Crohn's disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and a search for relevant Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection due to a failure to file a timely substantive appeal.