Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depression and bipolar disorder, is found to be etiologically related to her period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims. The decision is final.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be provided with a VA psychiatric examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is related or aggravated by his service-connected headaches. The Veteran's statements from family members and friends will also be considered.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, was initially rated at 50 percent prior to May 24, 2007. From May 24, 2007 through April 21, 2009, the rating was increased to 70 percent. As of April 22, 2009, a 100 percent rating was granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during his period of active service, including the stressors related to the war in Korea and the McCarthy hearings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, as the Veteran's contentions are cumulative and not credible.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not shown to be related to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the submitted evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for service connection due to PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders, as it was not new and material. The claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including a VA examination to assess the severity and frequency of his low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected paranoid type schizophrenia renders him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for such aid.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to verify stressors related to the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including a truck accident and physical abuse during boot camp.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

Service connection for PTSD was denied as the appellant's statements regarding his claimed in-service stressors were not credible.,The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including depression, has been reopened due to new evidence received.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for chronic low back disability, chronic cardiac disorder, and chronic acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's claims are not currently addressed as they have been returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's current psychosis, diagnosed as a schizophrenia, was shown to be present within one year of service and is presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's service-connected disability compensation benefits due to incarceration was not proper and reinstated his VA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, heart condition, back condition, and neck condition as there was no evidence relating these conditions to military service.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that had its onset during active service. A psychosis, if it exists, first manifested years after service and is not shown to be related to his military service; nor is any current acquired psychiatric disorder proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left eye disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus. The Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.