Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2001

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and found that new evidence supports a link between his current schizoaffective disorder and military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 5, 1998 for a 100 percent schedular rating for his service-connected schizophrenic reaction.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The veteran must provide information about his treatment, including from Dr. C.K.B., and any other relevant medical records.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The RO denied this claim in October 2000 and the Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment during a period of admission at a non-VA hospital from December 23, 1999 to December 25, 1999 are granted due to the emergency nature of his condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The veteran's 100% rating for schizophrenia was reduced to 70%, effective June 1, 1983. The reduction was found to be clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a right knee disorder related to his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability with leg cramps and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after his period of active duty.

The veteran's son, JH, was not shown to be permanently incapable of self-support due to mental or physical defect at the time he reached 18 years of age.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection, but concluded that there was no evidence of a psychiatric disability during active service or until several years after discharge. The veteran's current bipolar disorder is not presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found that the October 1986 rating decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder did not involve clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as secondary to his service-connected bilateral defective hearing and tinnitus. The decision also addressed claims for personality disorders and drug and alcohol abuse but found no linkage between these conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an allergic disorder, a right leg disorder, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to lack of timely appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection for undiagnosed chronic disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizophrenia. The appeal involves determining if there is sufficient new evidence to support reopening the claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim is now on its merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disability (other than a scar), left knee disability, or bilateral ankle disability related to his military service. The claim for a left knee scar is denied as there is no evidence of chronic worsening due to service. Service connection was also denied for pes planus.

The VA determined that the veteran's schizophrenia (bipolar disorder) does not render him unemployable due to service-connected disability, as his condition is not severe enough to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and a psychiatric disability. The issues were not resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 3, 1991, for service connection and a 100% rating for schizophrenia.