Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric condition existed prior to his entry into service and did not worsen during service. Therefore, it denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for schizophrenia was denied as the condition is not currently diagnosed and does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by cocaine intoxication, likely related to his service-connected schizophrenia. Given the equipoise of evidence regarding whether suicide or accidental overdose was more likely, the Board granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The May 1970 rating decision denied service connection for schizophrenia due to the RO's erroneous application of regulatory standards, failing to apply the correct presumptions (soundness and aggravation) based on a misinterpretation of the veteran's statements during an acute psychotic break.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's psychiatric disability, which is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right inguinal hernia repairs. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for the right inguinal hernia and a total rating based on unemployability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder that was incurred in or aggravated by service, and his current condition is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. The compensable evaluation for postoperative residuals of an ingrown toenail of the right great toe remains unchanged. The criteria for a higher evaluation for duodenal ulcer disease have not been met.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for a psychiatric condition due to new and material evidence submitted by his psychiatrist.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, but denied both the original claim and the secondary duodenal ulcer disease claim.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and major depression, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain the veteran's service personnel records, which were requested but not provided. The veteran is entitled to these records and will be notified of their status.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's COPD or asthma to military service, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his schizophrenia service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's appeal is dismissed as the Board lacks jurisdiction to review the VAMC's medical determination regarding which portable oxygen device should be provided.

The Board found that the veteran's schizophrenia and major depression were not incurred in or aggravated by military service, as there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service. The preexisting conditions did not show an increase in severity during active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The veteran's claim is therefore reopened.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for chronic paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder was not warranted, as there was no clear and unmistakable error in previous decisions or good cause to extend time limits.

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

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder was not proximately due to his service-connected gastrointestinal disability.

The Board is considering multiple claims, including increased rating for a right knee injury and service connection for various conditions. The decision on each claim will be determined based on the evidence presented.