Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board denied reopening the claim as to whether the appellant was permanently incapable of self-support due to disability prior to age 18 for the purpose of helpless child benefits, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, fungal infection of the skin, respiratory disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (post-traumatic stress disorder), memory loss, and chronic respiratory disorder. The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome was granted service connection with a noncompensable evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected schizophrenia warrants a 100 percent evaluation, effective prior to and after March 13, 2002.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence of laryngitis, tonsillitis, or a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) related to service. The veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed in-service stressors are not supported by credible supporting evidence and therefore, service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder cannot be established.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than July 21, 1997 for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia is denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The record does not support a conclusion that the veteran engaged in combat while on active duty or provided credible supporting evidence to corroborate his report of in-service stressors upon which this diagnosis was based.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral Bell's palsy, Lyme disease, a psychiatric disorder (to include depression), and rashes. The right shoulder dislocation and left inguinal hernia were each assigned noncompensable disability ratings.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination and compliance with the Board's October 2004 remand directives.

The Board finds that the veteran's right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and grants this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and verifying ACDUTRA duty periods. The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, and chloracne due to exposure to herbicide. The decision found that new evidence did not reopen his previously denied claim for hypertension, and that chloracne was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and his schizophrenia is not related to service. Therefore, service connection for both conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, did not arise during active military service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors. The Board found no evidence of a preexisting condition at entry into service and concluded that any current psychiatric disorder arose in the 1990s as a result of alcohol abuse.

The Board finds that there were no VA benefits due and unpaid at the time of the veteran's death, thus denying the claim for accrued benefits.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression), and obesity. The reasons given were lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus aggravated his acquired psychiatric disability, leading to a grant of service connection for this condition.

The veteran's request for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to his request for a hearing. The case will be processed in accordance with the requested hearing.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The TDIU claim is also denied.