Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a schizoaffective disorder cannot be reopened because new and material evidence was not presented or secured.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence shows that the veteran had symptoms of anxiety and panic during his military service, which were diagnosed as a current anxiety disorder (diagnosed as PTSD). The Board found that these symptoms began in service and are related to the veteran's military service.

The appellant's income for 1999 was below the maximum annual pension rate, allowing her to receive special monthly pension benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that it did not arise during active duty and is not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia with depression, finding that there was no medical evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, postoperative residuals of coronary artery disease, and a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety), as well as his claim for an increased rating for right ear hearing loss. The April 1975 denial of service connection for left ear hearing loss is final.

The veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was previously denied, and he is seeking to reopen this claim. He also contends that he currently experiences an acquired psychiatric disability related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis and negative findings of PTSD. The request to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was also denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder requires additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The issue is currently remanded to the RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and compliance with legal notice requirements.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of a personal assault claim and verification of stressors. The veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will be evaluated in light of any established service-connected stressor or stressors.

The Board has determined that the appellant's schizophrenia did not have its onset during his period of ACDUTRA and is not otherwise related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for schizophrenia was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify in-service stressors and determine if service connection can be established for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's schizoaffective disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to a lack of evidence showing it within one year after separation from service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's residual vascular malformation of the left knee, which is characterized by arteriovenous fistula affecting a lower extremity but without signs of stasis dermatitis, ulceration or cellulitis. The schizophrenia remains rated at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and found that the veteran's psychiatric disability is not related to service. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection regarding a psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need to verify the location of a claimed jeep accident during service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected hepatitis C disability and has also granted a 20 percent initial rating for his hepatitis C. The liver condition claim is denied.