Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by bilateral foot swelling for which service connection may be granted. The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and there is no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disability, and asthma have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to these issues.,The Veteran also withdrew his appeals regarding initial increased ratings for right and left hip disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service, thus denying these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, namely schizophrenia, and a lower back disability. The Veteran's current psychiatric disability had its onset in service, while his lower back disability is linked to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to confirm the exact dates of the Appellant's periods of active duty and/or ACDUTRA, as well as to obtain his complete service personnel records. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues involving PTSD, and as a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to her in-service stressors. The acquired psychiatric disability is also found to be caused by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder and low back disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found no evidence of a direct relationship to service for the psychiatric disorder, but noted that post-service treatment records showed on-the-job injuries and surgeries related to the low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as he does not have a diagnosed disability of PTSD. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, is pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD based on DSM-IV criteria and clinically diagnosed depression is not of service origin. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder and finds that it is related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, granting the claim.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is likely attributable to her military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

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

The Veteran is entitled to an effective date of December 5, 1991 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability rating for schizophrenia.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to her failure to attend a scheduled hearing. The issues listed on the title page are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric disorders, tinnitus, maxillary sinusitis, hemorrhoids, lupus, hiatal hernia with reflux, dextroscoliosis of the mid-thoracic spine, palmar and facial erythema, livedo reticularis, and TDIU were denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was not substantiated as his claimed psychiatric disorders are not related to military service. His claims for tinnitus, maxillary sinusitis, hemorrhoids, lupus, hiatal hernia with reflux, dextroscoliosis of the mid-thoracic spine, palmar and facial erythema, livedo reticularis, and TDIU were also denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or that any such disabilities are related to military service. The Veteran's claim for CUE in the April 1992 rating decision denying tinnitus was not established.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, back condition, right and left leg sciatica, and chronic acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence submitted since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain, bilateral pes planus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and schizophrenia) due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during or related to his military service.