Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, kidney disorder, skin disorder, residuals of hiatal hernia, essential tremors, and psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and diverticulitis/diverticulosis, also claimed as spastic colon were denied. The claim for initial compensable evaluation for service-connected hemorrhoids was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but finds that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to report for a VA examination and incomplete records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and major depressive disorders. The Board has also remanded the issue of an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and de novo consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an examination to assess his employability.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for each hip disability effective from March 21, 2007. The earlier effective dates for the increased ratings of the hips are denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the residuals of a groin injury, including varicocele and orchialgia, based on constant testicular pain requiring continuous intensive management. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and his request for a hearing. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions are taken.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting psychiatric disorder did not increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, seizures, and dislocation of the spine (also claimed as dislocated neck), finding that the additional evidence submitted did not provide a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a stress fracture of the left leg is granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, will be further addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and psychiatric disability other than PTSD, as well as his increased rating claim for CTS of the right wrist, were denied. The Veteran's trigger thumb was found to be essentially asymptomatic.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete records and further medical evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed PTSD is a result of an in-service stressor involving sexual assault, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reduction of disability evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with neuropathy left lower extremity, from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective April 1, 2006. The remaining issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is addressed in the Remand portion.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise and warrants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, classified as paranoid schizophrenia, which was likely manifested by prodromal phase symptoms during service.