Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents or other presumptive exposures during his military service.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and dysthymia. The claim for a skin disorder is being remanded as additional records are needed.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, claiming that the mental anguish from a vehicle rollover incident during active duty triggered his condition. The Board finds further assistance is needed to determine if pre-existing paranoid schizophrenia was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the appellant's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The RO will continue to consider the merits of the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a pulmonary disorder (chronic bronchitis due to asbestos exposure). The denial is based on the lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and for nonservice-connected pension benefits due to lack of wartime service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, determine the completeness of his service treatment records, and provide him with VA examinations for his claimed high blood pressure, stomach disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the thoracic spine is rated at 40 percent effective January 20, 2010. His left-knee and right-knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the New York, New York, RO.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD is denied as his attempt to raise a freestanding earlier effective date claim was not timely filed.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the rating decisions regarding service connection for left knee arthritis, bilateral leg injuries, psychosis/schizophrenia, venereal disease, and sinusitis. The claims are reopened due to new evidence presented since previous denial.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, adult situational disorder, personality disorder, and bipolar disorder was granted by the Board on July 2008. The effective date of this grant is set at January 11, 1974.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his eye conditions. The issues of service connection are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic schizophrenia, currently diagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD with panic attacks), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied. The decision is based on new evidence received after the Veteran filed his reopened claim.

The Board found insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, a skin disability (presumably due to herbicide exposure), low back and upper back disabilities, and traumatic arthritis. The diagnoses were not supported by credible supporting evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for hepatitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether new evidence supports reopening of the latter claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.