Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that an effective date of August 15, 1988 is warranted for the grant of service connection and a 100% rating for schizophrenia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorders are not related to active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine conditions were granted increased ratings, while the psychiatric disability claim was also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and a left ankle disorder due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions as being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and granted it. However, the claim for PTSD was denied due to lack of corroborated stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric, low back, and right knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy, and there is no verified stressor for PTSD. His current diagnoses of dysthymic disorder, polysubstance dependence, and history of pedophilia were not related to his service. There is also no evidence linking his current low back or knee disabilities to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a right knee, low back, or psychiatric disability related to military service and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for his psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder with psychotic features is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The reopened claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and a need for an examination. The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder that originated in service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or adaptive equipment due to his service-connected conditions and other factors.

The Board granted service connection for schizophrenia and anxiety disorder, but denied the claim for residuals of dental trauma for VA outpatient treatment.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not render him unable to care for most of his daily needs without requiring A&A, and he is neither bedridden nor a patient in a nursing home. Therefore, the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) or housebound status are not met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia originated during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a psychiatric disorder in service, and any current psychiatric disorder is not otherwise related to service. The claim for reopening of the allergic rhinitis was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder, which manifests with symptoms such as isolative behavior and short-term memory impairment, warrants a rating of 50 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as psychosis not otherwise specified, was not present during service or until more than one year after discharge from service. The preponderance of the competent medical evidence established that the veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and does not currently have PTSD as a result of his period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.