Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2011

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims and finds that new and material evidence has been received to support his claims for service connection. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to address the etiology of any sinus disorder present, as well as a C&P examination to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine condition and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia is related to his military service, granting him service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen certain claims. The right knee condition claim is reopened but remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and a generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are linked to his military service. The issues of service connection for residuals of mercury poisoning, hepatitis C, and bipolar disorder as well as the claim for TDIU are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizophrenia is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims. The left knee disability claim, acquired psychiatric disorder claim, and a new hip disorder claim are all pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing notification error, and the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board found the character of discharge for the period from September 13, 1999 to May 15, 2003 is not a bar to VA benefits. However, the character of discharge for the period from May 16, 2003 to July 30, 2007 is considered dishonorable and thus bars VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarification of his current psychiatric diagnoses and whether any found disorder is related to his in-service experiences, including service in Iraq/Kuwait. The VA will also attempt to verify the occurrence of the Veteran's alleged in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of a VA examination report and an additional psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran currently has PTSD related to his in-service stressor. The rating for schizophrenia remains on hold until the RO considers the October 2010 VA examination report.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's schizophrenia and major depression are related to his exposure to air pollution from oil fires in Kuwait during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for scar residuals of an appendectomy and that the Veteran failed to appear for his scheduled VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder, are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for the left knee, left shoulder, or psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's service treatment records did not indicate any chronic conditions and post-service medical records do not show any diagnoses related to these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and reopened a claim for a bilateral eye disability. The Veteran's other claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's GERD is presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides. However, the current disorder was not linked to his military service and there is no evidence of a link between other claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran does not have a valid clinical diagnosis of PTSD, either presently or at any time during the pendency of this claim. A chronic psychiatric disability did not have its onset during active military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to receive correspondence and missed a VA examination. The appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather concerns evaluations and claims.