Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2002

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals found no indication that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, and mixed personality disorder, was incurred or aggravated in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The claim for pension benefits was also denied as the veteran did not meet the criteria for a combined schedular one-hundred percent evaluation and his disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than December 22, 1997, for TDIU and earlier than August 17, 1998, for service connection of a psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, and liver disease (including hepatitis C), finding that new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim. The Board also determined that there was no direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, finding no competent medical evidence showing a current condition related to his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 20, 1993 for service connection of paranoid schizophrenia is granted. The original denial in September 1983 was not properly notified and a new notice letter was sent in June 1993 with the reasons for the denial.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that there is no medical evidence of a nexus between the appellant's schizophrenia and any period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, which includes variously described conditions such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and panic attacks, can be linked to service and head trauma therein. Therefore, the claim for service connection was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and vertigo secondary to a head injury, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to his period of active duty for training, and concluded that it existed prior to service. The Board also determined there was no increase in severity during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to a service-connected eye disorder.

The VA determined that the veteran's schizophrenia, currently rated at 10 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms being mild and controlled by medication.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence provided since the last denial. The claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed psychiatric, sinus, ear, and low back disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service. The appeals for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking any psychiatric disorder to service and noting that alcohol abuse and personality disorders are not diseases or injuries for compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran is incompetent for VA purposes and therefore cannot manage his own funds, including those related to VA benefits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The RO previously denied this claim in February 1994, but did not receive a timely appeal.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression. The preponderance of evidence is against her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen his previously denied claim.