Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia had its onset during active military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia is January 17, 1995.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim is now reviewed on a de novo basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dental trauma with tooth loss and psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The decision found that new and material evidence had been received, but did not grant service connection due to lack of a qualifying basis in service records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including beriberi, dysentery, malnutrition, intestinal parasitism, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and a psychiatric disability. The Board also denied his claim for an increased rating for pulmonary tuberculosis with bronchiectasis.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic depression and bipolar disorder, did not develop during service or within one year of separation. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran had an acquired psychiatric disorder prior to service.

The Veteran's service connection for a psychiatric disorder and left shoulder impingement is granted, but the initial rating for left shoulder impingement remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have verified active duty service and therefore is not a veteran for purposes of basic eligibility for VA benefits, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for psychiatric disability and left knee disorder, finding new and material evidence. ,Service connection is granted for left knee degenerative joint disease as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, while her claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include as secondary to personal trauma) was granted. The decision is considered mixed because one issue was granted and the other was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, a skin disorder, and a left ankle disorder. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus and that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed left ankle disorder during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered the RO/AMC to provide the Veteran with all outstanding, necessary notice in regard to his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case will be reviewed after any additional development is completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her acquired psychiatric disorder, fibromyalgia, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, right fourth toe fracture, and postoperative excision of lesion scar of the left chest were denied. The claim for TDIU was not addressed as it is part of a higher rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring further development including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gastrointestinal and acquired psychiatric disorders are not service-connected, as they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not considered to be related to his service, including the alleged racial hostility and harassment during service.