Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total schedular rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability, finding that reopening of this issue would not result in an earlier effective date.

The Board has found that additional development of the claims is necessary and has remanded the case to the RO for further action.

The Board found no current psychiatric disability and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision or reversal of its September 1985 decision denying a rating in excess of 50 percent for a psychiatric disorder, finding that the allegations did not set forth clearly and specifically the alleged clear and unmistakable errors.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically paranoid schizophrenia. The reopened claim will now be evaluated on its merits.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia due to new evidence submitted since the November 1991 rating decision. The VA examiner concluded that the preexisting condition worsened during active service.

The veteran's service-connected schizophrenia was rated as 100% disabling for a continuous period of at least ten years immediately preceding his death, meeting the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The claim for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The veteran's depression is attributed to his post-service life, not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted it. The claims for sleep disorder, left knee disorder, epididymitis, low back disorder, and GI problems to include gastritis with IBS and gastroesophageal reflux were denied.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his request to reopen a previously denied claim. The decision is final.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability and dental trauma to tooth No. 8, for compensation purposes.

The case is being remanded to the VBA AMC for further action under the provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The appellant will be provided with complete notice of their rights and responsibilities in developing evidence, including who bears the burden of obtaining or providing certain information.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the cause of the veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions were secondary to alcohol abuse. The case will be reviewed in light of all evidence obtained since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board is remanding the case to ensure that all VCAA notice requirements are satisfied, including notifying the veteran of what he needs to substantiate his claim for service connection based on new and material evidence.

The veteran's schizophrenia was previously service-connected and rated at 30 percent. The claim for enhanced DIC benefits is denied as the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to January 16, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizoaffective disorder, diagnosed during his active duty service from March 1980 to December 1981, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the veteran's inability to attend a VA psychiatric examination. The case will be reviewed and readjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the veteran's failure to report for a VA psychiatric examination.