Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia was denied as there is no prior communication in the record that could be considered an informal claim for VA compensation for a psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressor and the need for further development, including obtaining records from the National Archives and Records Administration and the U.S. Army and Joint Services Records Research Center.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain service treatment records and provide VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, organic brain dysfunction, vascular dementia, and mood disorder are being considered.

The Veteran's bipolar mood disorder is aggravated by his service-connected hepatitis C, and the VA has granted service connection for this condition. The evaluation for hepatitis C remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his first period of service did not result in a current condition due to disease or injury. The Board also determined that he does not have an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder related to his first period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (RSD), and post-operative residuals of Haglund's deformity, render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the maximum schedular disability rating for fibromyalgia and found that RSD warrants a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's chronic pansinusitis and chronic bronchitis are granted as service-connected. The Veteran is also granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, which is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder is not related to his service-connected asthma and denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing request and will schedule a new hearing for the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional records and verification of his Vietnam service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and diabetes mellitus. The claim for diabetes mellitus was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service, and the claim for a psychiatric disorder could not be substantiated due to insufficient evidence linking current diagnoses to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), to include acid reflux and a hiatal hernia.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the increased rating and TDIU claims were also denied. The Board remanded these matters for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his withdrawal of the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The earlier effective date claims are denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran filed previous claims prior to May 22, 2006.

The Board has decided to schedule a Travel Board hearing for the appellant due to his good cause for missing an earlier scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's schizophrenia has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, including persistent delusions, hallucinations, and suicidal/homicidal ideations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) and a heart disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology or a medical nexus to active duty service. Claims for residuals of a leg injury, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, frostbite of the left hand and foot, and arthritis of all major joints have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder, is considered to be related to her in-service sexual assault. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records.