Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD and secondary schizophrenia are found to be related to his service, specifically fear of hostile military activity during his time in the field artillery battalion. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The Veteran's claimed stressors were not verified, and his diagnoses are not linked to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability or a back disability that is causally related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence, and continuity of symptomatology is not shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and right shoulder disability are not related to service.,Service connection for a psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for allergic rhinitis, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) have been granted with a 10 percent rating effective June 19, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing representation and not appearing for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran may be homeless, so efforts must be made to verify his current address and schedule him for a new hearing.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for schizophrenia and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and GERD, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a stressor related to basic training or any other in-service event. The diagnoses of other acquired psychiatric disorders were not shown to have begun during active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be decided. This includes obtaining outstanding VA treatment records, requesting private medical records, and arranging for a mental health examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence. The issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, stomach disorder, and right arm disorder are all under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II; bilateral knee disorder; and PTSD are not supported by credible evidence and therefore have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health disability (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) contributed to his death from pneumonia, thus warranting service connection for the cause of death. As this claim is granted, the DIC based on 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as a greater benefit has been awarded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a valid claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as there is no verified in-service stressor and the diagnosis of PTSD is not supported by credible supporting evidence.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, panic disorder, schizophrenia with depression, anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, were incurred during his military service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining archived police records from the city of Petersburg, Virginia. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of neck disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral feet disability, diabetes mellitus, heart attack caused by clogged artery, psychiatric disorder (anxiety attacks and nervousness), headaches, bilateral leg disability, and bilateral arm disability have been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no competent evidence of a current diagnosis. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a videoconference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Veteran's current mental health problems are not related to his service, and the Board finds that he does not have PTSD.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.