Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as her attempts to reopen claims for cervical spine and low back disorders. The evidence did not meet the criteria for establishing a well-grounded claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's application for benefits is incomplete and requires additional development, including obtaining medical records from various sources.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a mental condition/psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no competent evidence linking any current non-drug/alcohol related psychiatric disorder to his remote service.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as there is no service-connected disability to warrant such a determination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and polysubstance dependence, likely began during service or within one year of service. The claim is granted as it meets the criteria for new and material evidence.

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.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is well grounded and has granted service connection based on direct evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and a psychosis for treatment purposes due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and PTSD, is service-connected due to combat exposure in Vietnam. The skin disorder was not shown during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no evidence linking it to active service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, which was previously denied in January 1985. The additional medical evidence supports the conclusion that the current diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia did not predate the period of active duty training from June to July 1980.

The Board has restored the veteran's 100 percent schedular rating for his service-connected schizophrenia, effective from September 1, 1983.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's claimed respiratory and psychiatric conditions, finding that these conditions are not due to a service-connected disability or any other form of exposure. The rating assigned is currently not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and an adjustment disorder are not well-grounded, as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to the lack of competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his period of active service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted, which would allow them to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury including a psychiatric disorder. The decision will then be based on whether the reopened claim is well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's mental disorder is well grounded and granted service connection for a mental disorder, determined to be of direct origin during or prior to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his schizophrenia, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 50 percent.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The claim of increased rating for the residuals of a right hip replacement is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophreniform disorder warrants a 100 percent evaluation due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The case was remanded for further development.