Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound due to his psychiatric disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of evidence, including verification of stressors and psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not service-connected as it is a result of his substance abuse.

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

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cardiac disorder, finding new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims. The heart disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board found that the veteran's variously diagnosed chronic acquired psychiatric disorder was incurred in active service.

The veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia has been shown to have resulted in severe social and industrial impairment, preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 30, 1996. The effective date for the TDIU rating is set at April 14, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the left ankle claim and concluding that the psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bipolar disorder, initially manifested as anxiety shortly after discharge from service, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's claims regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including post-traumatic stress disorder) and a chronic back disorder are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination and to obtain additional medical records, including from Dr. Braack.

The veteran's bilateral knee disorder, diagnosed as patellofemoral syndrome, was incurred during his active service. The Board found sufficient evidence of continuity of symptomatology to connect the current condition with his military service.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for obtaining medical records and information from USASCRUR regarding the veteran's alleged in-service stressors.

The Board is remanding the case to review the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to additional evidence and further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for further verification of stressors, as well as additional medical records.

The veteran's schizophrenia does not render him so helpless as to be unable to care for himself, protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his environment or attend to the needs of nature, nor does it prevent him from leaving his home. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or upon housebound status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's genitourinary disability is not service-connected, and his psychiatric disability claim requires further examination and consideration.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective from July 25, 1994. The attorney is entitled to 20% of the past-due benefits awarded for this award.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice and for additional development of the claim.