Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizophrenia was granted, and the RO assigned a 50 percent rating effective from December 6, 1976. The decision to grant service connection for schizophrenia and assign a 50 percent rating in October 1980 and July 1986, July 1987, and November 1988 was also upheld.

The Board has ordered additional development to assess the veteran's disabilities and determine his eligibility for special monthly pension due to need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including comprehensive VA examinations and obtaining a copy of a Goodwill Industries report. The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension benefits will be reconsidered.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not service-connected, but his COPD was. He died of respiratory failure due to COPD.

The veteran's schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, is rated at 70 percent and he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his inability to handle job stress.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and drug and alcohol abuse and addiction are not well grounded. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches, as well as his claim for a higher evaluation for low back disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen any of these claims.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical services provided at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital due to a lack of emergency nature and because a feasible VA facility was available.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, finding that there was no well-grounded evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current psychiatric disorder to his active military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted a 50 percent rating for his service-connected sinusitis. The evidence submitted since the last denial supports the reopening of the claim, and the current manifestations of sinusitis meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and drug abuse due to lack of new and material evidence, and because drug abuse is considered willful misconduct under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and right ankle disability. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral conjunctivitis was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for disorders of both shoulders and arms on a direct basis, as well as secondary to the service-connected residual scar from a shrapnel wound in the right scapula. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder was also denied as secondary to the same scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is related to his military service, specifically his time in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and gastroenteritis due to a lack of current diagnoses and insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for schizophrenia has not been finalized by the Board, so he is not eligible to have attorney fees paid from past-due benefits.

The veteran's psychiatric condition, which is his only service-connected disability and rated at 100%, does not meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against the veteran's claim that his current psychiatric disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service.