Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for schizophrenia and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as the issue regarding an earlier effective date for the 30 percent rating for dermatophytosis. The underlying service connection issues are considered to be decided based on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 2, 1995 for a 100 percent disability rating for his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a stomach disorder and psychiatric disorder due to potential need for further medical examination.

The Board found that the veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot disability and psychiatric disability were denied due to a misapplication of the law. The motion argued that the presumption of soundness should have been applied, but the Board determined that clear and unmistakable evidence was not provided to rebut this presumption. For the psychiatric claim, the motion alleged failure in VA's duty to assist, which is insufficient for CUE claims.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability and a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support such claims.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, manifested by insomnia, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board found that the psychiatric disorder was not incurred or aggravated during active military service and denied the claim.

The Board finds that the veteran's participation in relief operations in the Philippines during active duty is a verified stressor for PTSD. The VA examinations and psychological evaluations support a diagnosis of an adjustment disorder with anxiety, which is attributable to his confirmed in-service stressor.

The veteran's request for a hearing before the Board is acknowledged, and his case is remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia is manifested by total social and industrial inadaptability for the period October 1, 1990 to November 1, 1998, warranting a 100 percent schedular evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for further examinations. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of her claims due to lack of new and material evidence, except for a claim related to epidermal cyst on her occipital area.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 10, 1981, for a 100 percent disability evaluation for schizophrenia.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a more comprehensive VCAA notification letter.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and to reopen his claim for a psychiatric disability. The decision found no new and material evidence presented, and concluded that hypertension did not begin during or within one year after military service. The psychiatric disability was also denied as there was no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia is being remanded to the RO for further consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury, including a resultant psychiatric disorder. The veteran's claim is now remanded for further consideration on its merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 12, 2000 for the grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the earliest date as of which it was ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred was July 12, 2000.