Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2000

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

The Board found no service connection for the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for traumatic headaches.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA psychiatric examination. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has granted a waiver of the recovery of an overpayment of compensation benefits in the amount of $2,316.30 due to financial hardship and lack of fault on the part of the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia is rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating. The decision also grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and further investigation is needed before a final decision can be made.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for a current VA psychiatric examination and updated medical records.

The Board is remanding the case due to changes in the law and a need for additional development, including notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board determined that the appellant's spouse was discharged under dishonorable conditions due to desertion, and therefore precluded eligibility for VA benefits. The evidence did not show insanity at the time of desertion.

The Board has granted an effective date prior to December 22, 1993 for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia. However, the RO must obtain additional VA treatment records from East Orange VAMC and ensure that all development actions have been conducted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include post traumatic stress disorder. The issue was remanded due to a lack of clarity in how the claim was framed and potential verification issues.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, pulmonary disorder (chest pain and breathing problems), and psychiatric disorders to include PTSD were denied. Service connection was granted for PTSD but not for the other conditions.

The case is being remanded for additional development and assistance to the veteran, including obtaining pertinent VA and private medical records and scheduling appropriate VA special examinations.

The veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric condition, including PTSD and schizophrenia, was denied as the evidence did not show an active psychosis within two years of his separation from service.

The veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for paranoid schizophrenia is being considered. The RO has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted, but the veteran requested a reopening of the claim due to additional treatment records from 1998 at the VAMC in Asheville, North Carolina.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted since the September 1979 RO decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and seizure disorder. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and provide the veteran with a new examination if necessary.

The Board found that new evidence, including a private psychiatrist's opinion from 1999, supports reopening the claim of service connection for major depression. The Board concluded that the appellant had a pre-existing condition and that his recent diagnosis was related to his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to a Court order, including obtaining medical records and verifying certain events from the appellant's past.