Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2000

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his condition, distinguishing between symptoms attributable to his service-connected disability and those caused by drug dependence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and substance abuse, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric condition. However, the claim remains denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a relationship between the current psychiatric condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is not well grounded due to a lack of medical evidence linking current symptoms to an inservice stressor or any diagnosed condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant is unemployable due to his schizophrenia and paraplegia, which are considered lifetime disabilities. As a result, he meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional action due to incomplete consideration of evidence and procedural issues.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at the Deering Hospital in Miami, Florida on July 16, 1995 is denied because no timely claim was submitted within two years of the treatment.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is well grounded due to a clear diagnosis of PTSD, evidence of stressors consistent with his combat service, and a nexus between his combat service and his diagnosed PTSD. The veteran served in Vietnam and was exposed to extreme trauma during his active duty.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and psychiatric disabilities, but denied them on the merits. The evidence shows that the veteran had symptoms of a low back disability during service, including pain radiating into his legs, but there is no clear link to service. His current condition may be related to multiple motor vehicle accidents rather than service.

The Board found that the veteran's paranoid schizophrenia was not incurred in or aggravated during active duty, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the appellant's symptoms to an undiagnosed illness, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for alcohol and drug abuse, as well as a neuropsychiatric disorder. The decision states that there is no legal entitlement to these benefits due to the prohibition against compensation for substance-abuse disabilities.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of the decisions due to non-compliance with the requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 20.1404(a). The motion was not signed by the moving party or their representative, nor did it include the dates of the Board decisions to which the motion relates.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a well-grounded claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD or migraine headaches.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional VA psychiatric examination, consideration of both old and revised rating criteria, and obtaining all relevant medical records.

The veteran's claims for higher disability evaluations and service connection were denied. The appeals are addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has restored the appellant's prior 100% rating for his paranoid schizophrenia, effective October 1, 1986, as the June 1986 reduction was procedurally deficient.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia and found that new evidence submitted since the last denial supports this claim. The evidence now shows that the veteran developed schizophrenia during his military service.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric or back disorders to his military service, thus denying both claims.