Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, sinusitis, or bronchitis during service and there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the service-connected major depression with history of acute schizophrenic episode, which was previously rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's request for a personal hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals has been granted, and her case is being remanded to allow for additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a seizure disability as a result of his service-connected schizophrenia, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder did not originate in service and was more likely related to his excessive alcohol abuse. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, arranging for a VA psychiatric examination, and readjudicating the claims on both direct and secondary bases.

The Board found that the January 1959 rating decision denying service connection for a psychiatric disorder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as there was no evidence of such error at the time.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include alcoholism, warrants a 50 percent rating since June 29, 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 20, 1990, for a total schedular evaluation for service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia, which was initially denied in 1982.

The Board denied reopening of service connection claims for a back disorder, right inguinal hernia, groin infection (epididymitis), and psychiatric disability. The claim for left foot disability was also denied.

The Board has granted the application to reopen a claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability. The underlying question of service connection for a psychiatric disability, as well as the claims of entitlement to service connection for a bayonet wound of the right flank and low back disability will be addressed in the REMAND that follows.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to corroborate any claimed in-service stressors and no diagnosis of PTSD based on verified stressor. The Board also found that a psychosis did not become manifest during active duty or within one year after separation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim that there was clear and unmistakable error in a September 1967 rating decision denying service connection for schizophrenia. The appeal is based on the veteran's disagreement with this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD stems from his exposure to non-combat stressors during his wartime service as a decontamination specialist, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected.,The left eye disorder is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. The cervical spine, low back, right lower extremity (right ankle), left upper extremity on organic basis, genitourinary disorder, psychiatric disorder, headaches and memory loss on organic basis, and stomach disability are all found to be not service-connected.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected mental disorder and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to this condition. The current level of impairment is considered to be no more than moderate, with occasional social and industrial impairment.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, major depression, was first manifested in service and continues to the present day. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for a total rating due to unemployability by reason of service-connected disability, effective from November 7, 1996, was denied as his schizophrenia did not render him unable to secure and follow gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia, residual type warrants a 10 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.