Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2008

The veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. The case is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, as the newly submitted evidence does not relate the current condition to his period of honorable service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the claims of service connection for schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder, as the additional medical evidence did not demonstrate a nexus between any current psychiatric disorders and service.

The Board has granted service connection for cubital tunnel syndrome and assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The veteran's claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia has resulted in a somewhat depressed mood, occasional anxiety, auditory hallucinations, and chronic sleep impairment but generally not resulting in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. Therefore, the criteria for a disability rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected schizophrenia have not been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, hypercholesterolemia, a left shoulder condition, and a left knee condition. The veteran was not granted an increased rating for her lumbosacral strain with minimal degenerative changes.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appellant is also asked to provide more detailed information about alleged in-service events that may have contributed to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a neck injury incurred in service and denied his claim for this condition. The issue of service connection for psychiatric disability is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy (claimed as a visual disability), erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) remains pending.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome or ankylosis. The TDIU claim has been granted retroactively to February 9, 1989.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying service dates. The veteran's claims for psychiatric disability, cardiovascular disability, and diabetes mellitus are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of SSA records and potential destruction of service records, requiring further development.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected schizophrenia, which is currently rated at 50 percent. The claim has been remanded due to the veteran's failure to report for a scheduled VA examination and because of the need to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Coleman.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance from another person was denied as he is not blind, in a nursing home, or unable to perform his daily activities without assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen his PTSD and chronic schizophrenia claims, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder, finding that it is related to the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim for left knee disability remains pending as there are no current medical findings of a specific left knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, and that the evidence of record is sufficient to establish entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as there is no medical diagnosis of PTSD and no competent evidence of a nexus between any current psychiatric disability and service.