Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2004

The Board finds that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD, is reasonably the result of his service in Vietnam. The evidence supports a link between his current symptoms and his in-service stressors.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of schizophrenia, paranoid type was granted. The initial rating for the disability remains at 50 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected schizophreniform disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development of his VA medical records, including those from Beaufort VAMC and Coastal Empire Mental Health Clinic.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of evidence to determine the current status and etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities, including hearing loss, malaria residuals, cold injury to the feet, PTSD, back disorder, knee disorders, respiratory disorder, and diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication, including issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of an increased rating and consideration of the earlier effective date claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently suffer with PTSD and therefore, service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for psychiatric disability. The veteran's current diagnoses include acquired psychiatric disorders, such as depression and PTSD, which are linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection of paranoid schizophrenia. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice, and the case will be returned to the Board after compliance with any necessary procedural requirements.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's paranoid schizophrenia, finding that the symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims of service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability. The RO previously denied these claims in November 1990 without reopening them due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 17, 2001 for a 50 percent rating increase for his psychiatric disorder. The decision concluded that there was no factual basis to award an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted since the July 1999 denial.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for paranoid schizophrenia for compensation purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his acne vulgaris and service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, as secondary to his service-connected acne vulgaris.

The veteran's total disability rating due to service-connected schizophrenia allowed payment or reimbursement for unauthorized hospital care at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center on April 10 and 11, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a mental disorder and drug and alcohol abuse, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, headaches, and a back disorder. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying the appellant's service dates and obtaining records from her Reserve unit. The appeal is now pending with the RO.