Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, and it is now granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with respect to an August 2001 rating decision denying service connection for heart disease, residuals of prostate cancer, and a psychiatric disability. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current psychiatric disability related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in VCAA notice and for additional development of evidence, including psychiatric and urinary examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's atypical organic brain syndrome existed prior to service and was not aggravated by active service. The Board also found that he did not suffer from a schizophrenic disorder or other psychiatric disorder incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions or residuals from in-service injuries and illnesses.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, previously denied in 1990. The case is remanded for further development regarding this and other claims including arthritis. Service connection for arthritis was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a compression fracture of the thoracic spine at T-8 that is attributable to her military service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the residuals of a left shoulder injury were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may arthritis be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for psychiatric disorder was denied as there was no evidence showing new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for a higher rating for arthritis of the feet with bilateral heel spurs.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur additional disabilities as a result of VA treatment and denied his claims for service connection. The issue regarding willful misconduct was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and schizophrenia, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, residuals of a head injury, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. The veteran's preexisting schizophrenia was found to have not been aggravated by service. There is no evidence of current residuals from a head injury. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were also not shown to be related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder or flat feet that is related to service. The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was characterized as 'nerves' and/or bipolar disorder, which the Board determined were not incurred in or aggravated by service. For his flat feet, the Board noted there was no indication of a pre-existing condition during service and found no evidence of aggravation.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, due to service. The presumption of soundness does not apply as there were no pre-existing conditions noted at entry into service.

The Board found that the veteran's service did not show a current disability of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and any pre-existing personality disorder was not aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability due to additional evidence provided by VA. The claim is now reviewed on its merits, and it was determined that new and material evidence had been received. However, the claim remains denied as there is no evidence showing a direct or presumptive link between the veteran's current psychiatric condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for consideration of new evidence submitted by the veteran and to prepare a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has granted service connection for a headscarf injury and alcohol abuse, but denied service connection for headaches and mental disorders. The scar was directly related to the veteran's in-service injury. Service connection for the other conditions is not established as they are not shown to be related to his active duty.