Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The RO previously denied this claim in 1972, but the veteran submitted additional medical records since then which are considered insufficient to reopen the case.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right eye to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran is incompetent for VA purposes due to his mental health conditions and substance abuse issues.

The Board found that there was new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease, dysthymia (a form of depression), and psychiatric disorder. The decision granted these claims.

The veteran did not have a pending claim for accrued benefits at the time of his death, and there were no benefits owed to him. Therefore, the appellant's claim for accrued benefits is denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia was denied as there is no evidence to support a prior claim before January 22, 1987.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia. The claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is related to his service in Vietnam and grants this claim. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The veteran's schizophrenia, paranoid type, is rated at the highest possible level of 70 percent.

The Board has granted a schedular evaluation of 70 percent for the appellant's psychiatric disability, effective from the date of this decision. The Board also found that the appellant meets the criteria for individual unemployability due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his active military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is denied.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, which is now considered. The Board also found that service connection should be granted for schizophrenia.

The Board found no evidence of permanent incapacity for self-support before the appellant's 18th birthday, denying his claim.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service and concluded that the current condition is not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 30, 1998, for a 100 percent evaluation for schizophrenia, paranoid type, competent is denied.

The Board has restored the veteran's 100 percent rating for service-connected schizophrenia, finding that material improvement in her condition was reasonably certain to be maintained under ordinary life conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's request to restore a 50 percent disability evaluation for his psychiatric disorder and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent, finding that there was no sustained improvement.