Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2010

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for schizophrenia. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted (the reopening of the claim) while others were denied (service connection).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to a lack of current disability and no competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability determination records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss or tinnitus, as well as any psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's symptoms, including anxiety and paranoia, began during service and have continued since then. Therefore, it is at least as likely as not that his current psychiatric disorder had its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The appeal regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is being remanded.

The Veteran's schizophrenia is granted a 100% disability rating from September 1, 1980 to May 31, 1985.

The Veteran's tinnitus and psychiatric disability were not found to be related to service, leading to a denial of the claims. The Veteran does not have any other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination, additional evidence from SSA, and further development of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and a personality disorder, was granted. The case was remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and development of evidence.

The Board's February 18, 1983 decision is overturned as it failed to apply the correct regulations for reducing a disability rating. The Veteran's schizophrenia was previously rated at 100% and reduced to 70%. The motion shows clear and unmistakable error in this reduction.

The Board denied service connection for a left leg disability and psychiatric disability (claimed as nervousness and depression) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen them.

The Veteran's claim for aid and attendance benefits was granted, effective from May 28, 2003. The Appellant is seeking retroactive compensation due to the allowance of increased benefits based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining more specific information about his claimed service stressors and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran was found to have been continuously rated at a 100% disability rating for schizophrenia, which is considered total disability. Therefore, the appellant is entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination for his claimed chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The RO will also consider the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.304 as amended.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 50 percent, reflecting significant impairment in occupational and social functioning. The other issues were granted initial disability evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records from any confirmed periods of reserve service and issuing a supplemental statement of the case regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need to verify his period of active duty, obtain treatment records from Beverly Morgan Park Mental Health Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, and schedule a psychiatric examination.