Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2002

The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the rating decisions of October 28, 1971 or February 9, 1973 denying ratings higher than 50 percent and 70 percent for schizophrenia, undifferentiated type.

The veteran's schizophrenia has rendered him demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment, warranting a 100 percent disability evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected schizophrenia did not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, previously denied in March 1981. The new evidence submitted since then includes diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for retroactive pension benefits, finding that he was permanently and totally disabled as of June 1999 when he began receiving treatment for his psychiatric illness. The effective date assigned by the RO is correct.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of paranoid schizophrenia was denied as the earliest request to reopen his claim was received on October 24, 1997.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's psychiatric disability and assigned a 50 percent evaluation, which was later reduced to 30 percent but then restored to 50 percent. The veteran is now rated as 100 percent disabled due to his inability to obtain or retain gainful employment.

The Board found that the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre is geographically accessible and capable of providing necessary dental treatment, but denied the veteran's claim for outpatient fee basis dental treatment.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder during service or within one year after discharge, and the veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's psychiatric disability was rated at 30 percent prior to March 5, 2001 and increased to 50 percent effective from that date.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional hearing before a traveling member of the Board at the Huntington, West Virginia Regional Office.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder as secondary to service-connected bilateral varicose veins, but granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder and assigned an effective date of June 27, 2002.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's psychiatric disability, finding that it did not have its onset in service and was not related to any disease or injury during his first period of active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia warrants a 70 percent evaluation, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The veteran's disabilities, including back pain, PTSD, and knee injury, have rendered him unemployable due to his age, education, and occupational history. Effective September 17, 2001, the veteran is entitled to a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the new evidence submitted since the last denial supports a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which was previously denied in July 1975. The veteran's pre-service mental condition is as likely as not aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia, diagnosed in 1974, began during his period of service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The veteran's claim is granted.