Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 8, 1988, for the grant of service connection and assignment of a 100 percent rating for chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), finding that his current psychiatric disability is not related to his service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted service connection for chronic paranoid schizophrenia, finding that the symptoms in service represent the onset of his currently diagnosed condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability in service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability is not related to her military service.

The Board denied the request to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and also denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as failure to meet the criteria for additional disability caused by VA hospital treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security records and arranging for a VA examination to address the etiology of the veteran's back disorder.

The veteran's schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, is currently rated at 70 percent and has been increased to a maximum of 100 percent due to total occupational impairment.

The Board granted service connection for schizophrenia on the basis of incurrence during active service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, rheumatoid arthritis, and PTSD were denied. The claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for schizophrenia was granted.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is found to be the primary cause of his gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a back disability and paranoid schizophrenia, finding no evidence to support such claim prior to June 5, 1997.

The Board has remanded the case due to the veteran's incarceration and changes in address, requiring a Travel Board hearing.

The November 1996 and October 2001 rating decisions denied the veteran's claims for service connection, new and material evidence to reopen his claims, and TDIU. The appeals were not successful.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for hallux valgus of the left foot and service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's son's claim for recognition as a 'helpless child' due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age 18, finding that he was not permanently incapable of self-support at age 18.

The veteran's claims for service connection and compensation have been denied. The left shoulder disorder claim has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection. Hypertension is not related to service, and there is no evidence that it was caused by VA care. The psychiatric and rectal disorders are also not related to service or VA care. Finally, the residuals of the fracture of the right 5th metacarpal do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for schizophrenia, finding that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current psychiatric disorder and reviewing all pertinent Social Security Administration records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence received since the last denial supports a diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability and establishes a link between such disability and service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his paranoid type schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, undifferentiated type. However, the claims of service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, a left leg disorder, and bilateral pes planus remain denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to military service.