Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2001

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to their service-connected lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all issues raised.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's death was caused by an accidental overdose of opioids and cocaine, which were used to enjoy or experience their effects. The Board found no evidence to support a finding that the veteran's use of drugs resulted from his service-connected schizophrenia. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is denied.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for cystic acne, a new and material evidence claim for her psychiatric disorder, and her claim of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for schizophrenia and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, finding that his condition did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication on the merits, including consideration of new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection, finding no evidence of instability or significant functional impairment beyond what is contemplated by a 20% rating.

The veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia has resulted in total social and industrial inadaptability, warranting a 100% disability rating since January 9, 1990.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and increased evaluations for his service-connected schizophrenia and back disorder. The Board has remanded the case to consider whether an earlier effective date can be established, given pending claims and possible extra-schedular considerations.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that his condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The BVA also noted conflicting evidence regarding whether the veteran had a pre-existing psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's schizophrenia has been rated at 30 percent since May 1, 1994. The Board found that the condition did not warrant a higher rating prior to that date and denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia with a 100% rating effective August 24, 2001. The veteran's claim was initially received on November 19, 2000.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for chronic acquired psychiatric disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation benefits, as well as his request for an effective date. The appeals were not successful.

The Board has remanded the case due to new laws and regulations requiring additional development of evidence.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include depression and paranoid schizophrenia) and gastroenteritis, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.