Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's back disability is found to be related to her period of active duty service, while her psychiatric disorder may be linked to military service performance.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's digestive disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection is not granted for a liver disorder or bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including psychosis, is found to be related to his active service. His sinusitis disability is granted a rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's schizophrenia, paranoid type, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the period from March 28, 2003 to October 17, 2003 and since November 14, 2011. An effective date of August 1, 2014 was also granted for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The VA examiners found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions, or that they are not related to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a current hearing loss disability under VA criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his exposure to Agent Orange at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine if his prostatitis is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the evidence supports a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Veteran's paranoid schizophrenia has been rated at 70 percent since May 7, 2015. This rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar strain, bilateral knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his claimed stressors and obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD based on any service-related stressor and therefore, his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder condition that had onset during or was caused by his active service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not shown to be related to service or a service-connected condition. The claims for effective dates prior to January 7, 2007 are denied as the Veteran did not appeal the initial rating decisions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence showing a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, neck, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are not service-connected as they are not causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions in the January 2017 VA examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand disorder, and right shoulder disorder are all being reviewed.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder existed prior to his service in the Navy, and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security disability records and scheduling a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus are not related to his military service.,Both conditions did not manifest within one year of his discharge from active duty.