Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and a higher evaluation for schizophrenia.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran's stressors have been verified and his symptoms align with a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorder did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service, and thus the presumption of soundness at entry into service was rebutted. The Board then determined that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing aggravation of the pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and residuals of influenza.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the appellant's currently diagnosed psychiatric disabilities were first manifested many years after service and there is no competent evidence which relates such psychiatric disorders to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia and pneumonia. The decision on schizophrenia was granted based on new evidence, while the decision on pneumonia was denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an increased rating for his low back disability. The veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not related to service, while his intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine does not have a direct link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus is service-connected, but denied his claim for a psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors have not been verified, and her current diagnosis of PTSD is not based on a verified stressor. Therefore, the acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's pre-existing psychiatric disability did not increase in severity or was not aggravated by his service, and therefore denied service connection for a variously diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The veteran claims service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. The RO needs to obtain all relevant medical records from the Fort Sam Houston medical facility in San Antonio, Texas (from 1962), as well as from other health care facilities where the veteran received treatment for his psychiatric disorders. A psychiatric examination should be scheduled to determine if there is a link between the veteran's military service and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to March 26, 1996 for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center were not reimbursable due to the availability of a VA facility, and the veteran did not meet all criteria for reimbursement under applicable laws.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to his failure to appear for VA examinations without good cause.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for impotence as a result of a VA cystoscopy performed in July 1986, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or VA care.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his active military service. The variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder was not manifested in service or within one year post-service, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Similarly, the arthritis of the joints and spine did not manifest during service or within one year post-service, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a connection.