Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a mental disorder, including schizophrenia. The evidence submitted since the last denial indicates that the veteran may have exhibited signs of schizophrenia during or shortly after his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and as such, the claim is granted.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination to determine the severity of his service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neuropsychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and depression, is likely related to his active service or pre-existing condition aggravated by service. The case will be remanded for further development of medical records.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's current psychiatric disorder to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

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

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an opinion from a VA psychiatrist.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not service-connected, as there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and no aggravation thereof. The diagnosis during service was a personality disorder, which is not considered a disease for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, tremors of either hands, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right leg disability and service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development under VCAA.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a significant change in VA law and because of the need for an adequate decision on service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability and PTSD are related to service, warranting a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and memory loss, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability. The veteran's previous denial of this claim is considered final, and no further action can be taken on this issue without new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for automobile allowance and/or adaptive equipment was denied because his only service-connected disability, schizophrenia, does not meet the criteria for eligibility.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for schizophrenia, thus allowing the veteran's appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, did not exist prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The evidence showed no credible in-service stressor and no medical link between current symptoms and service.

The veteran's service-connected schizophrenia is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia may have first manifested during service or within one year of separation, but further development is needed to confirm this. The RO must obtain records from Social Security Administration and Rhode Island Mental Health Center regarding the veteran's treatment for schizophrenia in 1971-1972.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The case will be returned to the RO for further development and readjudication.