Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants a 40 percent rating, effective from October 1993.

The veteran's depression and bipolar disorder were found to be aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a left knee injury. The claim for secondary service connection for a lumbar spine disability was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected schizophrenia, finding that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back condition, and hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board found no evidence of a current chronic acquired psychiatric disability related to the veteran's service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's schizophrenia has been rated at 50 percent disabling since April 1, 1973. The Board finds that the veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected schizophrenia and grants a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's appeal was denied for both his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and his pension claim due to hepatitis C. The denial for the pension claim is based on willful misconduct, while the denial for service connection is based on the merits.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Board found that the veteran has abandoned his claims due to non-cooperation and failure to respond to VA's efforts, including a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorder did not have its onset during active service and was not aggravated by service. The condition is presumed to have existed prior to his enlistment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The reopened claim will now be adjudicated on its merits.

The veteran's disabilities do not render him unable to care for most of his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor are they housebound in fact. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, defective vision of the left eye, and a chronic back disorder were all denied. The claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a disability during or within one year after service.

The Board found that the veteran's schizophrenia did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his symptoms were primarily attributed to dementia due to multiple sclerosis. The current disability level warranted a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, a skin disorder, and hypertension. The psychiatric disorder is considered to be a panic disorder incurred during active service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for a higher initial rating for short term memory loss due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted, allowing the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to be reopened. The Board also found that the veteran currently has a diagnosed psychiatric condition (variously diagnosed as schizophrenia and anxiety disorder) which was incurred in service.