Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2003

The Board granted an effective date of April 6, 1993 for a 100 percent evaluation for service-connected schizophrenic reaction.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's dysthymia, finding that it is proximately due to her service-connected fibromyalgia. The issue of entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability will be addressed in the Remand section.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and the court's decision invalidating certain regulations. The case is now remanded for additional evidence collection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's paranoid schizophrenia was aggravated by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran showed good cause for failing to report for two scheduled VA examinations in January 2001. As a result, his claim is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability and also denied his request for an increased rating for varicose veins of the left lower extremity. The veteran was previously denied service connection in May 1985, but new evidence did not provide sufficient material to reopen this claim. His varicose veins were rated at 40 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, concluding that his condition existed prior to military service and was not aggravated by it.

The Board is considering claims of CUE in the November 1977, May 1980, and May 1985 rating decisions regarding the disability ratings for service-connected schizophrenia. The issues are whether these decisions contained CUE.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Gordon and deciding whether to grant service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and/or a kidney disorder as secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disability(ies), to include PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with VCAA and submission of new evidence without a waiver. The RO is instructed to provide proper notice, obtain any relevant evidence, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including psychiatric and gastroenterological examinations. The appeal is being remanded for these additional evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, blackout spells, dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision. The claim for a right knee disability was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for urethral strictures, finding that the veteran's congenital condition was aggravated during active duty. The issue of PTSD due to sexual assault is inextricably intertwined with the current claim and must be remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that it was decided on the merits.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims due to new evidence received and issues needing clarification.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to incomplete medical records. The claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, Crohn's disease, and hemorrhoids are being remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder is not related to his service-connected back disorder and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the schedular criteria. The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was also found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has granted service connection for fatigue, as due to undiagnosed illness. The remaining claims are addressed in the remand section.

The veteran's memory loss, headaches, joint pain, respiratory condition, high blood pressure, and psychiatric disability were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during Persian Gulf service or as undiagnosed illnesses.