Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of schizophrenia was granted, but his requests for earlier effective dates were denied.

The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for a 70 percent disability rating for schizophrenia and a TDIU. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and must be remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for schizophrenia and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing adequate notice of the examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a head injury, residuals of heat stroke, and a psychiatric disability (claimed as a nervous condition). The decision found that there is no current evidence of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development regarding service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizoaffective disorder is service-connected, and thus grants the claim for service connection. The issue of reopening the PTSD claim remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and confirming the location of the veteran's last audiological evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability did not begin during service or within one year after discharge, and is not related to any incident of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not competent to handle his own financial affairs without limitation, and thus denies entitlement to direct payment of VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia, paranoid type did not develop during service and is not related to military service.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (schizophrenic reaction, undifferentiated type) contributed substantially or materially to his cause of death. The appellant is granted eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The appellant's schizophrenia is currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's service connection claims for cerebrovascular accident, sleep disorder, seizure disorder, headache disorder, joint pain, fatigue, skin disorder, muscle pain, and neuropsychiatric signs or symptoms are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from PTSD related to his service, and his currently diagnosed dysthymia and depression clearly existed prior to service. The low back disability was also denied as it did not become manifest during or after service.

The veteran's schizophrenia is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to mild or transient symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the verification of stressors and the need for additional evidence, including SSA records. The appellant is seeking service connection for PTSD related to alleged physical/sexual assaults during military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and a psychosis for treatment purposes due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and his military service.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the veteran's claimed stressors, including a tank accident and a suicide attempt. The claim for service connection will be reconsidered after this information is obtained.