Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant is denied because he does not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring these benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders preexisted her entry into service and did not worsen during or because of her active duty. The low back disorder was also not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran is competent for VA purposes and the appeal is granted.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the April 20, 1973 rating decision. The veteran's schizophrenia is currently rated at 70 percent, but does not meet criteria for a higher rating prior to July 23, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran continues to be incompetent for handling disbursement of funds due to his mental condition, specifically paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no well-grounded evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disability or a link between any such disabilities and service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder in service or one that was aggravated by service. The veteran's pre-existing psychiatric symptoms were noted prior to his entry into active duty and continued after separation from service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, warrants a 70 percent evaluation for the period prior to January 14, 1995 and a 100 percent evaluation for the period on and after January 14, 1995.

The Board finds that it is reasonably possible that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder developed during service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated by active service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for pes planus is not well grounded due to lack of competent evidence linking current findings to service.,For the psychiatric disorder, excluding PTSD, the Board also found it not well grounded as there was no competent medical evidence linking post-service findings to service. However, the Board noted that the appellant's pre-existing PTSD likely increased in severity during active service.

The case is being remanded to obtain the veteran's complete personnel records and VA mental health records. The RO will then re-adjudicate the claim for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including schizophrenia in April 1984, finding that the veteran's condition was not manifested during or after service. The moving party argues there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in this decision.

The claim is being remanded for further evaluation of the appellant's physical disabilities and psychiatric impairment to determine if she needs regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia from 10 percent to 30 percent, effective December 1994. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to schizophrenia is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing, and if denied, will be returned to the Board after compliance with all requisite appellate procedures.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, low back disability, and psychiatric disability due to new evidence submitted since the August 1994 denial. However, the claims are not well grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The veteran's son, the appellant, was denied an extension of Dependent's Educational Assistance benefits due to his age exceeding 31 years.