Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2001

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic schizophrenia does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current back disability or psychiatric disorder to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a back condition. The issue of an increased rating for schizophrenia remains pending, as does the claim for TDIU based on multiple disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for fatigue and an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression) due to undiagnosed illnesses incurred during the Gulf War.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that new and material evidence supports reopening of her previously denied claim.

The Board has granted service connection for certain conditions due to an undiagnosed illness, including cervical strain, migraine headaches, periodontal disease (bleeding gums), respiratory condition, memory loss, problems with bowel movements, and psychiatric disorder. Service connection is denied for other conditions.

The Board has jurisdiction over the claim of CUE in the September 1973 rating decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but not over the March 1979 rating decision concerning the effective date.

The Board has determined that the appellant is recognized as the veteran's surviving spouse for VA purposes, given the evidence shows the separation was due to the veteran's misconduct without fault of the appellant.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, based on new and material evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, was denied by the RO. The denial is based on the lack of evidence to support the claimed inservice stressors and the absence of competent medical evidence linking any current psychiatric disability to service.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for psychiatric disability as a residual of head injury. The issue of whether there is service connection for all residuals of head injury will now be addressed.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for PTSD and an anxiety disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, which is a condition previously denied in 1984. The reopened claim will now be reviewed.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection have not been decided as the appeals are still pending.

The veteran's disabilities, including schizophrenia, diabetes mellitus, and lumbosacral strain, are so severe that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether the veteran meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board found that the veteran's current chronic paranoid schizophrenia developed during service and is related to his military service.

The veteran's claims were dismissed as he did not respond to requests for information and evidence necessary to make a decision on the merits of his appeal.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 22, 1997, for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was denied. The Board found that entitlement to this benefit did not arise prior to July 22, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, a right hip disability, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.