Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, and therefore service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include claustrophobia, is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizophrenia and multiple physical impairments, meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing (SAH). However, his entitlement to SAH precludes him from receiving financial assistance in acquiring special home adaptations (SHA).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and increased ratings for bilateral pneumothorax with right and left thoracotomy scars, as well as a compensable evaluation for defective hearing, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to service. The respiratory disorder was not shown to be due to service, but the Veteran's defective hearing did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be due to sexual assault during active service, and the Board grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as dysthymic disorder, somatoform disorder and PTSD, was incurred during active military service. The residuals of back injury, neck injury, injuries to the left knee, right knee, and right shoulder were also found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's active duty and his currently shown psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disorder is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the types of evidence he may submit to support his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as Major depressive disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD were also denied as there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and dental treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional evidence to be obtained and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for schizophrenia and for a TDIU due to inadequate reasons and bases in the May 2007 decision, including insufficient analysis of medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder diagnosed as schizophrenia and a left knee disorder, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders were not shown to be etiologically related to service, and his PTSD claim was denied due to lack of verified in-service stressor.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and a psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service injuries were not credible and that there was no medical evidence of chronic or continuous symptoms prior to 2001.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's currently-shown psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, is related to service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was found to be manifested by complaints of pain and limited motion, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for service connection for skin disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or psychiatric disability (PTSD).