Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia and/or schizoaffective disorder. The previous final denial was based on a lack of evidence demonstrating a psychiatric disorder during military service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar disc disease with T12 wedging was previously denied and new evidence did not reopen the claim. The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's somatization disorder on a direct basis, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor. The claim is also reopened.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining relevant medical records and addressing the adequacy of the March 2006 VA examination report.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not timely file a Substantive Appeal regarding his claim for service connection, and therefore the appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a bilateral foot disability, and a bilateral hand disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating in excess of 30 percent for hepatitis B were denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the January 1998 rating decision is not material and does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. Therefore, the application to reopen the claim was denied.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including obtaining morning reports and determining the geographical location of the Veteran's unit in Vietnam. The Veteran will also undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other related psychiatric disorder that is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his military service, including PTSD. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD and other diagnoses were considered.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder or memory loss, and thus denied service connection for these conditions on a direct basis.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to determine the etiology of his current condition and whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's request to reopen her claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The case is REMANDED for proper VCAA notice and further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressful experiences were not corroborated by service department records and his acquired psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD, are not shown to have been incurred as a result of events during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to a lack of verified in-service stressors and insufficient supporting evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, heart disease, sleep disorder, and neuropathy of the hands were denied. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD).

The Veteran withdrew her claim for entitlement to service connection for muscle spasms of the bilateral legs during her Board hearing. The remaining issues are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current claim involves entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and ensuring VCAA compliance.