Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The veteran had a service-connected disability (schizophrenia) and was receiving compensation benefits. After the veteran's death, his surviving spouse is entitled to retroactive payments based on his restored 100% rating for schizophrenia.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's schizophrenia, finding that his condition did not warrant a higher evaluation than the current 50 percent.

The veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD. The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the earliest documented psychiatric complaints are from 1981, which occurred after her discharge from active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

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.