Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, dizziness, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The appeals for these issues have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for schizophrenia, finding that there was no medical evidence to establish an increase in disability within one year prior to December 1, 1993. The effective date remains at December 1, 1993.

The Board found that the veteran's schizophrenia was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is currently rated at 70 percent, effective November 17, 1998. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the level of impairment due to his symptoms and daily functioning.

The Board has determined that the July 1995 rating decision, which granted service connection for major depression as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. Therefore, service connection for major depression is restored.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorder did not develop in service. Personality disorders are not disabilities for service connection, and no psychosis was incurred within the first post-service year.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing schizophrenia was not aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The decision on whether service connection is warranted will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal and psychiatric symptoms, as they are attributable to known clinical diagnoses.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of schizophrenia due to new evidence submitted, including a letter from Dr. Maier and statements from the veteran and his representative indicating additional medical records may exist supporting the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's schizophrenia was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Board finds that the veteran's schizoaffective disorder, currently diagnosed as an acquired psychiatric disorder, had its origin in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of service incurrence or aggravation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant due to his overall disability level.

The veteran's schizophrenia is currently evaluated at 70 percent, and he has been granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

[redacted] became permanently incapable of self-support by age 18 due to mental illness, qualifying as a helpless child for VA purposes.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not competent to manage his affairs, including disbursement of funds without limitation.

The veteran's schizophrenia warrants a 70 percent evaluation, and he is not entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher evaluation for neuritis of the left hand, finding that neither condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.