Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, including major depression, schizophrenia, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and the claim for service connection for vertigo are also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing and because of the need for further evidentiary development.

The Veteran is granted service connection for bipolar disorder and a 20 percent rating for bilateral plantar keratomas from July 7, 2009. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his military service, while the current level of disability in his bilateral plantar keratomas warrants a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is presumed to have been incurred in service. The other claims of service connection are not addressed as they are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a stomach condition secondary to his already service-connected PTSD is denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (claimed as a nervous condition and depression) is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for plantar fasciitis of the left foot is granted. The claims for fatigue and lightheadedness, high cholesterol, and acute schizophrenic reaction are remanded due to a lack of timely issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA records and an inadequate psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a psychiatric disability during service or within one year of separation, and there was no credible evidence supporting his claimed in-service stressors. As such, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD and PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD. The Veteran's in-service experiences are being reviewed to determine if they support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, other than posttraumatic stress disorder, did not have its onset in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, headache disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), diabetes mellitus, and a low back disorder have been granted. The claim for residuals of a left ankle fracture has also been reopened.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was denied. The issue of service connection for PTSD and erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes mellitus remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for residuals of a right clavicle fracture and Parkinson's disease during a hearing before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and is now considering the claim of major depression, which may be a symptom of the previously granted condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to April 3, 1996, for the grant of service connection for genital warts was withdrawn. The claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for schizophrenia is dismissed as there are no allegations of error in the determination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including a psychosis. The Veteran's testimony at his hearing and VA treatment records have raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be established. The claim is denied.