Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the claim seeking service connection for alcoholism and substance abuse as secondary to the veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for either condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically paranoid schizophrenia, first manifested during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, mental retardation, major depression, and esotropia and myopia. As a result, these claims remain denied.

The veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, that was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected schizophrenia aggravated his hypertension, which in turn contributed to his atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and ultimately caused his death. As such, the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic paranoid schizophrenia had its onset during service and granted service connection for this disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for schizophrenia. The Board has ordered the RO to obtain additional records, including verification of his Reserve duty and complete service medical records. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus. The claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression, insomnia, and anxiety) are pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The veteran's contentions are considered insufficient to establish a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision was not found to contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for schizophrenia, a psychiatric disorder. The claim is therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of funds due to his mental incapacity, including his schizophrenia and cannabis dependency.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a psychological evaluation and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the extent and severity of any current psychiatric disorders. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to March 8, 2001, for the grant of service connection and the assignment of a 100 percent evaluation for schizophrenia is not warranted.

The Board has denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and hepatitis C. The case is being remanded to the RO/AMC for further review, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board's decision of July 21, 1998 denying the veteran's appeal for restoration of a total disability rating for schizophrenia is reversed due to clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that any current psychiatric disorder is related to service. Additionally, his only service-connected disability (tinea versicolor) does not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability is moot.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a duodenal ulcer, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and SSA disability records. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.