Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia, disorganized type was denied as there is no evidence that a formal or informal claim to reopen the issue of service connection for schizophrenia was received prior to April 10, 2007.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. However, additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of paranoid schizophrenia, finding that the June 1977 and August 1980 decisions were final and not subject to CUE. The earliest effective date assigned was December 7, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% disability evaluation for his left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he was entitled to such a rating prior to September 29, 2005.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, but it is not warranted as the acquired psychiatric disorder did not result from service.

The Veteran died as a result of an adjudicated service-connected disability (schizophrenia), but the appellant is neither his child nor surviving spouse, so she is not eligible for CHAMPVA benefits.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and determined that he likely developed PTSD due to traumatic events during his military service. The evidence now supports a diagnosis of PTSD, which is related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, a heart disability, and other conditions. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the appellant's current psychiatric and tinnitus conditions and her military service, including continuity of symptomatology since service. Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as a result of the Veteran's in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of stressors and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and need for further examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of asbestosis or an asbestos-related disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a skin disorder, as new and material evidence has been received. The claims will be further adjudicated on their merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board found that the Veteran did not have a disease or injury in active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) have been granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service noise exposure and credible statements regarding such exposure, which are sufficient to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing officer's retirement and the need for another video conference hearing. Additionally, the Veteran may be entitled to SSDI benefits which should be reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The specific issues of increased rating for irritable bowel syndrome and service connection for acquired psychiatric disability remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and granted service connection. The Veteran was also granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety.