Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2004

The Board determined that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to his eighteenth birthday, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying stressors and obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and a skin disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia. The Board also found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service regarding a pre-existing psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, which he claims was caused by his experiences in Vietnam. The Board has ordered a remand to verify the dates of service and any stressors that may have contributed to his current psychiatric condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The RO will attempt to obtain any missing service medical records, schedule the veteran for appropriate VA examinations of his current psychiatric and right shoulder disabilities, and then readjudicate the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and residuals of herbicide exposure to include a neurological disorder or chemical imbalance disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions during service or within presumptive periods.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including a VA psychiatric examination and completion of the VA Form 21-8940 for TDIU.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, ankylosing spondylitis, and defective vision. The remaining issues on appeal are mixed (some granted, some not).

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, cerebrovascular accident residuals, and psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or aggravated during active service. The Board also determined that these conditions are not proximately due to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or that any such disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's low back condition and initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids were granted. The veteran's psychiatric claim (PTSD) was denied, but he received a higher disability rating for his hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully adjudicate the veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and recent VA outpatient clinic records. A VA orthopedic examination is also required.

The veteran's service-connected schizophrenia does not render him so helpless or bedridden that he requires the assistance of another individual to accomplish basic daily functions, and thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disability is not related to his service-connected sarcoidosis.

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

The Board found that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to disease or injury which was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for schizophrenia. Additional evidence is needed, including treatment records from VA and private providers.

The Board has remanded the case due to an unadjudicated claim of clear and unmistakable error in a previous rating decision, which could impact the earlier effective date for service connection.