Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2001

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine if any psychiatric disorder is proximately due to or the result of the veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 100 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability is dismissed as moot due to the granted 100 percent evaluation.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional information and ensure that all notification and development action required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 has been completed. The veteran must be provided with the criteria for the submission of new and material evidence, and his claim will be determined based on whether new and material evidence was submitted since the January 1999 RO decision.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for schizophrenia since November 7, 1996, under the 'old' rating criteria. The veteran's disability is characterized by complete social and industrial inadaptability.

The veteran's service-connected schizophrenia does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his disability is primarily caused by non-service-connected residuals of a cerebrovascular accident. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected conditions is denied.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA treatment records and a new examination. The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected schizophrenic reaction is pending.

The VA denied the veteran's claim to reopen his schizophrenia service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for schizophrenia in April 1979, finding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The case is now remanded for further development.

The veteran's schizophrenia is rated at 50% disabling, his bilateral hearing loss at 10% disabling, and his left knee disability at 20% disabling. The appeals for increased evaluations are granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, concluding that his current psychiatric conditions did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The RO will now review the case on its merits.

The service-connected schizophrenia and PTSD contributed substantially to the veteran's death due to AIDS-related pneumonia, making it a material factor in his cause of death.

The veteran's major depression is found to be related to events during his last period of service, and he was granted service connection for this condition. However, the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than a schizoaffective disorder, claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appeal is based on a direct service connection theory, meaning that the VA will consider whether there is evidence to support a finding that the PTSD developed due to events in service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his schizophrenia was denied because he failed to report for a VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including records from the Selective Service System, Coast Guard, VAMC Louisville, Kentucky, and any other relevant health care providers. The veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit such evidence or for the RO to obtain it on his behalf.