Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2006

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors have not been verified, and her current diagnosis of PTSD is not based on a verified stressor. Therefore, the acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's pre-existing psychiatric disability did not increase in severity or was not aggravated by his service, and therefore denied service connection for a variously diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The veteran claims service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. The RO needs to obtain all relevant medical records from the Fort Sam Houston medical facility in San Antonio, Texas (from 1962), as well as from other health care facilities where the veteran received treatment for his psychiatric disorders. A psychiatric examination should be scheduled to determine if there is a link between the veteran's military service and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to March 26, 1996 for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center were not reimbursable due to the availability of a VA facility, and the veteran did not meet all criteria for reimbursement under applicable laws.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to his failure to appear for VA examinations without good cause.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for impotence as a result of a VA cystoscopy performed in July 1986, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or VA care.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active military service. The variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder was not manifested in service or within one year post-service, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Similarly, the arthritis of the joints and spine did not manifest during service or within one year post-service, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting his allegations of head and rib injuries in service, as well as new and material evidence not being submitted to reopen previously denied mental disorder and back injury claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private medical records, as well as a need for further notification under the VCAA. The claim will be reviewed again after obtaining these records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service. The appellant's claims file must be reviewed for relevant medical records from private hospitals and VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling examinations to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric disorder or asthma are related to service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a psychosis during service or within one year post-service, and the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the veteran's current schizophrenia is related to his military service.

The veteran seeks service connection for paranoid schizophrenia. The Board has requested verification of the veteran's Reserve duty status during early 1988, but no such records have been provided. The case is remanded to allow further development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed schizophrenia (psychotic disorder, not otherwise specified) was incurred in active military service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, as the veteran did not have a disability rated totally disabling for at least 10 years immediately preceding his death.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and rhinitis due to lack of new and material evidence.