Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lung disease, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing psychiatric condition that was aggravated by service, and the current acquired psychiatric disability is not shown to be related to service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA medical and vocational/rehabilitation files, and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder did not have its onset during service or within a year of discharge, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed chronic schizophrenia had its onset within the first year post service, and is accordingly deserving of service connection on a first-year-post-service presumptive basis.

The veteran's paranoid schizophrenia has been manifested throughout the appeal period by active psychotic manifestations of such extent, severity, depth, persistence, or bizarreness as to produce total social and industrial inadaptability. The criteria for a 100 percent schedular rating are met for the entire appeal period.

The veteran's death was due to complications from his service-connected schizophrenia, which contributed substantially to his condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has denied the claim of service connection for schizophrenia, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to service and denying the appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and development of his claims, including obtaining treatment records and clarifying the nature and severity of his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the veteran's receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. The SSA records should be obtained, and a notice letter reflective of recent cases on the VCAA should be sent to the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, a bilateral foot condition, or a psychiatric disorder due to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right leg disorder, and psychiatric disorder (depression) as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a low back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, chest pain, and pulmonary disorder are not related to his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities are not related to his service-connected right knee disability. The psychiatric disability (Major Depression) is considered a separate issue from the service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for fibromyalgia was also denied.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development of evidence, including obtaining personnel records from Coast Guard cutters and units where the veteran served.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and a 10 percent rating for post-traumatic headaches. The veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service head injury.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his period of active duty.