Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2002

The Board found that the appellant's mental illness caused a prolonged deviation from his normal method of behavior and so departed from the accepted standards of the community to which he belonged, allowing him to receive VA benefits despite his other than honorable discharge. The veteran's paranoid schizophrenia was incurred during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, both of which were reopened with new evidence that was not in the file at the time of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of medical expenses incurred during his inpatient hospital stay at a non-VA facility was denied as he had not sufficiently stabilized to be transferred to a VA medical facility by February 26, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and cannot be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim is denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically paranoid schizophrenia, and also denied the propriety of a noncompensable evaluation for residuals of a gunshot wound injury to the right hand. The veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board found that the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as well as his being housebound due to disabilities, does not meet the criteria established by VA regulations.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, postoperative residuals from hemorrhoidectomy, and gastrointestinal signs and symptoms (including bloody stools) due to an undiagnosed illness resulting from Persian Gulf service. Service connection was not established for neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The veteran's wife provided additional information suggesting a possible link between his mental health issues and service, which was not previously considered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such conditions within one year of discharge. The psychiatric disability was also not incurred in service. As a result, these claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not presented to support the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting psychoneurosis was aggravated by his wartime service, and thus granted service connection for the psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted an effective date of January 24, 1997 for his total and permanent disability pension rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both hands and legs due to a lack of clinical evidence reasonably suggestive of 'loss of use' of the legs as defined by VA regulations.

The Board found no causal relationship between the veteran's military service and his current psychiatric disorder, leading to a denial of his claim.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia, which was previously denied in August 1982. The decision will now proceed on the merits.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, which was previously denied in October 1996. The veteran's condition is currently being treated with ongoing treatment for paranoid schizophrenia.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for non-service connected pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, and a disorder manifested by memory problems are all related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.