Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2000

The Board found that the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include dysthymic disorder is not well grounded due to lack of competent evidence linking any current diagnosis to service.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder in service and insufficient medical evidence to link the current condition to service. The claim is therefore denied.

The VA has determined that the appellant's psychiatric symptoms, while significant, are primarily due to his substance abuse and do not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated during service and are not presumed to be related to his military service. The stomach, sleep, and heart disabilities have been medically demonstrated after service but do not meet the criteria for an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or depression related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sleeplessness, insomnia, nightmares, memory loss, fatigue, muscle condition (loss and soreness), and a psychiatric disorder are not well grounded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, stomach (gastrointestinal) disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, it is not determined that these conditions are related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating, which would preclude an average person from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected schizophrenia was granted, effective from July 18, 1992.

The Board has determined that the veteran's mental disorder warrants a 70 percent evaluation, effective from September 1993. The claim for service connection for chronic vaginal discharge is denied as not well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia is plausible and capable of substantiation, thus finding a well-grounded claim. The veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding no new and material evidence to support it.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, which is productive of total occupational impairment.

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia and PTSD, finding the evidence insufficient to establish a link between current conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of March 4, 1996 for a 70 percent schedular rating for schizophrenia and a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional personnel records and VA medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder developed during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's paranoid schizophrenia warrants a 100 percent disability rating due to total social and industrial inadaptability.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability is well-grounded and the appeal to this extent is allowed. The case is remanded in order to afford her an examination.