Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted, and his left thigh disability is rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's generalized joint pain/fatigue syndrome is service-connected as due to an undiagnosed illness. However, there is insufficient evidence for a separate diagnosis of elbow pain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a coccyx disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus to service or a separate identifiable disability. The appeal regarding secondary service connection for a psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and an additional VA PTSD examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty and a psychosis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been granted.,Chronic ear problems claimed as tinnitus, condition of the left calf (blood clots), and umbilical hernia (stomach hernia) have all been denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The claims were not supported by evidence linking current symptoms to in-service stressors or events.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 5, 2005, for service connection of paranoid schizophrenia is denied as the earliest possible effective date would be December 5, 2005.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the merits of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with paranoid schizophrenia, major depression, anxiety, panic attacks and cognitive disorder (claimed as organic brain syndrome) is dismissed due to the finality of the December 2004 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a stomach disorder, finding that it is related to the Veteran's active service. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and left leg disorder are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if service connection can be established for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine if any current neurological or psychiatric disorder is due to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of his National Guard service periods and a need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and/or a bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his psychiatric disability and consideration of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his service-connected bilateral knee disorders, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, schizoid personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), needs further development. The case is being remanded to allow for additional examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder as the result of his active military service and therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.