Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, specifically schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, began during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, but denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of a verified in-service stressor.

The Board found that there was no factual basis to grant an earlier effective date for the increased rating of schizophrenia, as it could not be determined that the disability had worsened prior to January 30, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran currently has major depression, which developed as a result of his active service. The claim for PTSD is denied.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder or PTSD. The veteran's claims were denied as there was no medical evidence showing a link between her current conditions and her military service.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for PTSD, back disorder, lung disorder, and skin disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues are considered on the merits.

The Board is revising the November 1980 decision that denied service connection for a psychiatric disability and is granting service connection on new evidence. The Board also revised the November 1980 decision denying a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The Board has found that new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has not been submitted, thus the claim remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder in February 1974, finding that the correct diagnosis at that time was a personality disorder rather than an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision is being challenged on grounds of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for schizophrenia should be October 20, 1967, as this is the day following the veteran's separation from active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 29, 1992, for a 100 percent rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The decision is final as the veteran did not appeal within one year of receiving notification of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current schizophrenia disorder had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection for this disability.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia, finding no link between the veteran's current symptoms and his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric condition is not attributable to his brief period of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of clear and unmistakable evidence that a psychiatric disorder existed prior to service, and because there is no clear evidence linking her current anxiety disorder to in-service stressors.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions due to drug possession, and thus constitutes a bar to VA benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's depressive disorder does not warrant an evaluation greater than 30 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new schedular criteria.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in active service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia and denied claims for secondary service connection for hypertension and a heart condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to new evidence and a need to consider whether service connection should be reopened on its merits under VCAA, Section 7(b).