Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's right knee fracture residuals do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. The left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and thus cannot establish service connection for any of the conditions listed. The claims are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, were denied as there was no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, and schizophrenia, paranoid type) are being evaluated for their impact on his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is REMANDED for an additional examination addressing the impact of these conditions on employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and review of the evidence to determine if service connection can be established for residuals of a head injury and psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the cause of the veteran's death was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The appellant's claim for DIC benefits is denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's schizophrenia is related to her military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service stressor and the current psychiatric disorders are not related to service.,Service connection for GERD secondary to a psychiatric disorder was also denied due to lack of medical evidence showing that the GERD was incurred or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain VA treatment records from St. Cloud VAMC and other facilities, as these records may contain relevant information for reopening the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for paranoid schizophrenia, but the Board finds that the earliest possible effective date is March 31, 2000.,The veteran also sought an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The Board found no evidence prior to April 1, 2003, indicating the veteran needed such assistance.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran is not competent to handle his own VA benefits due to a diagnosis of chronic paranoid schizophrenia and ongoing psychiatric treatment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a headache disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, as a result of service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found insufficient evidence to determine the current level of severity of the service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, resulting in a denial of an increased evaluation for this condition. The claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia was also denied due to lack of evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's schizophrenia does not result in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50 percent rating. The evidence did not show deficiencies in most areas as required for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, requires further development due to unverified stressors and need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the January 1985 rating decision denying service connection for a mental disorder did not contain CUE, as there was no evidence of PTSD at that time.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for anti-social personality disorder and schizophrenia, finding that there is no legal basis for these claims due to the congenital nature of personality disorders. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any current mental illness and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from VAMC in Murfreesboro, TN and a hospital in Meridian, MS, as well as Social Security Administration records.