Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2006

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 and/or schizoaffective disorder. However, it was not incurred or aggravated in active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that there was no new and material evidence to reopen his schizophrenia claim. The issue remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C. The veteran's psychiatric disorder was found to have preexisted service, and the Board determined that it did not increase in severity during service. Service connection for hepatitis C is denied as there is no underlying service-connected condition.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than post-traumatic stress disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder did not originate in service and is not otherwise causally related to her military service, including a personal assault. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for schizophrenia, as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service or within one year following separation from service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for Hepatitis C and a psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including recent VA medical treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no new and material evidence. The claim was not reopened.

The veteran is attempting to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The case must be remanded due to the failure to provide timely VCAA notice.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature of her psychiatric condition and left ear hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of schizophrenia was granted, but his requests for earlier effective dates were denied.

The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for a 70 percent disability rating for schizophrenia and a TDIU. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and must be remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for schizophrenia and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing adequate notice of the examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a head injury, residuals of heat stroke, and a psychiatric disability (claimed as a nervous condition). The decision found that there is no current evidence of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development regarding service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizoaffective disorder is service-connected, and thus grants the claim for service connection. The issue of reopening the PTSD claim remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and confirming the location of the veteran's last audiological evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability did not begin during service or within one year after discharge, and is not related to any incident of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not competent to handle his own financial affairs without limitation, and thus denies entitlement to direct payment of VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia, paranoid type did not develop during service and is not related to military service.