Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 24, 2001, and June 6, 2001, was denied as the services were not for a medical emergency that would have been hazardous to his health if delayed. VA facilities were available.

The veteran is appealing the denial of his claim to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for mental retardation and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case must be remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that a new medical examination is needed to clarify whether the veteran currently has a mental disorder related to his military service. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including depression, is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder and left foot disorder are not service-connected, with the exception of a current diagnosis of alcoholism. The veteran's service-connected fracture of the distal left fibula is not found to have caused or aggravated his psychiatric disorder or left foot disability.

The veteran's claim for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,The veteran's unspecified stomach disability is not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to active service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, but it is unclear whether the decision grants or denies this claim as the disposition is described as 'mixed'. The effective date and rating assigned are not specified.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that an effective date of October 19, 1998 is appropriate for the grant of service connection for paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board has assigned an earlier effective date of May 21, 1996 for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia. The TDIU issue remains inextricably intertwined with the underlying rating for the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia and must be deferred until further adjudication.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 22, 1999 for the assignment of a total rating for disability benefits based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include Major Depressive Disorder, based on evidence of a current disability, a link between the in-service stressor and the current condition, and new evidence that supports the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and her current depressive disorder is not service connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's service stressors and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for bladder cancer due to herbicide exposure and service-connected prostate cancer, as well as service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety disorder and PTSD), finding that the veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims of service connection for a head concussion and bilateral knee disorder were denied, while his claim for an increased rating for paranoid schizophrenia was granted.

The veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 30 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The veteran's left knee disorder is rated at 20 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background, and the Board finds that a TDIU is not in order.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such a condition during active duty or within one year after separation. The Board also found no relationship between any current psychiatric disorder and military service.