Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2013

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the earliest effective date is August 9, 2004.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete information and need for further examination regarding his claimed psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and stomach disorder, including gastritis and GERD. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a new eye and psychiatric examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his bilateral eye disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA mental disorders examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish current lung disabilities or a nexus to service, and there was no objective medical evidence supporting these claims.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying a claimed stressor. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current disability, as indicated by medical records showing carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board also found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied his claim. The Board also found insufficient evidence to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, but noted that it must be remanded for further examination.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran has requested such a hearing and is willing to appear in person.

The Veteran's throat disorder was found to be due to a self-limited bout of tonsillitis in service, which is not considered a current disability. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for his stomach disorder and the claim remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for hearing loss, chronic bronchitis, or hypertension. The claims of service connection for psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), neck condition, COPD, sinus and allergy problems, left knee condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, skin disorder, and hypertension are denied.

The Board found that schizophrenia, an acquired psychiatric disability, had its onset during active service and granted the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and verification of an incident involving a missile on board the USS Coral Sea. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD will be reconsidered.

The case is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence and a request for a hearing. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed by the RO.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to insufficient evidence of a diagnosed condition related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder or low back disorder that is related to his military service. The evidence shows no in-service diagnosis of these conditions and no link between any such conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no credible evidence linking any diagnosed psychiatric disability to service.

The Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia is currently evaluated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that an evaluation in excess of 70 percent is not warranted. The claim for TDIU from April 28, 2009 to November 21, 2009 was denied.