Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Bipolar Disorder) and a higher initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the left knee.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, valvular heart disease, and a psychiatric disability on the grounds that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder began during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and assigned a 10 percent rating effective from March 2, 2005. The veteran's left knee instability and arthritis are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. Hemorrhoids have been rated as non-compensable.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected schizophrenia, chronic paranoid type. The effective date remains October 1, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient steps taken by the RO to comply with the VCAA and implementing regulations, including providing proper VCAA notice. The veteran is required to provide new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of chronic paranoid schizophrenia is February 13, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for schizophrenia and for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The veteran's schizophrenia is currently rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including psychiatric, left ankle, left foot, right foot, low back, and neck conditions. The claim of service connection for a hernia was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim of service connection for hypertension was reopened based on new evidence showing current hypertension in active military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for further development and examination, including a VA psychiatric examination. The issues of service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, an eye disorder, and a back disorder are being addressed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability is not related to his service-connected residuals of the fractured left arm, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to Agent Orange. The other issues related to secondary service connection for various conditions are also granted.

The Board found that the appellant did not have a psychiatric disorder during active service or within one year of separation, and his condition was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty for training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims based on direct service connection.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on confirmed in-service stressors and denied his claim for service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as a result of her service. The claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to scheduling issues.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, residuals of removal of a cyst on the left ear, chest pain, and a mental disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to service or any verified stressors. The claim will be re-adjudicated based on the results of this examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for a higher evaluation for her low back pain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.