Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, making it well grounded. The other issues on appeal will be addressed in the REMAND section.

The Board determined that the veteran's schizophrenia and nephrolithiasis do not warrant increased ratings as their current evaluations are considered appropriate based on the severity of symptoms and established criteria.

The Board found no evidence of a current skin condition, tinnitus, or acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymic disorder) related to service. The appellant's pes planus was not aggravated by service and is therefore not service-connected.

The veteran's initial rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder is upheld at 30 percent, effective June 19, 1990. The Board finds that a 70 percent rating is warranted due to severe social and industrial impairment caused by the service-connected psychiatric disorder. An increased rating for right ear hearing loss is not granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional evidence, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding stressors during his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's paranoid schizophrenia, a psychiatric disability, was initially manifested during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, peptic ulcer disease, and residuals of cerebral hemorrhage.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his substantive appeal, making the March 1994 rating decision final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and therefore denied. The veteran is currently rated at 50% for eczematoid dermatitis.

The Board found that the veteran's current anxiety disorder and PTSD are not related to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bipolar disorder, diagnosed as a continuation of his inservice affective disorder with both depression and manic symptoms, was incurred during service. The claim is therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophreniform disorder is a result of his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current mental disorder and her period of service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to lack of evidence showing he meets the criteria.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim of service connection for schizophrenia, finding that he did not have active duty as defined by VA and therefore was not a veteran. The appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records from VA facilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a seizure disorder with dizziness, loss of memory and slurred speech due to new evidence. However, there is no direct medical evidence linking this condition to military service. The claim for PTSD was not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board found no competent evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder and disability of the feet, which were deemed well-grounded. The veteran's current conditions are not related to her period of active duty.