Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2000

The Board found that there is no competent clinical evidence showing a nexus between the veteran's paranoid schizophrenia and his death, thus denying the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and denied his claim for an increased rating for tinea versicolor.

The veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Mount St. Mary's Hospital on April 12, 1995 is denied as all criteria for VA reimbursement are not met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left arm and hand disorder and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder is well-grounded, and the Board has found that there is evidence suggesting organicity to his mental problems. The issue of an increased rating for residuals of cerebral concussion will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for intermittent lumbosacral strain, shin splints, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including chronic schizoaffective-type schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). The claim for eligibility for VA medical care based on service connection for chronic schizoaffective-type schizophrenia was also denied.

The veteran's paranoid schizophrenia is rated at 50 percent, effective September 15, 1995. The VA has also granted a temporary total evaluation for hospitalization due to his service-connected condition from December 11, 1995 to January 8, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim for right orchitis and epididymitis, and denied increased ratings for bilateral high frequency hearing loss, myositis of the lumbar paravertebral muscles, and patella chondromalacia.

The veteran withdrew his motion seeking revision of the August 1985 Board decision, which denied a schedular rating in excess of 70 percent for chronic, undifferentiated type schizophrenia and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as his claims related to Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for psychiatric disability, denied service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, denied increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine and bronchitis, and denied an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the right wrist.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for residuals of burns on the right foot, right knee disorder, and psychiatric disorder other than post traumatic stress disorder or schizophrenia are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric and/or brain disorder is related to service, but there is no evidence of a current skin condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric and/or brain disorder was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 12, 1993 for service connection of schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type with a 100% evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a psychiatric disorder is well-grounded. The appellant was provided with VA medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, and these claims are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disorder, and a skin disorder (claimed as a residual of Agent Orange exposure) have been denied. The RO has not considered the most recent private medical records submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's impotency is found to be proximately caused by the medications prescribed for his service-connected PTSD. The claim of diabetes mellitus remains not well grounded as no competent evidence has been submitted demonstrating a connection to military service. The veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating from November 24, 1998.

The Board has restored the veteran's 50 percent evaluation for his service-connected schizophrenia, paranoid type.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically paranoid schizophrenia, is not well-grounded and thus denied.