Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia has been shown to have resulted in severe social and industrial impairment, preventing him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 30, 1996. The effective date for the TDIU rating is set at April 14, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a left ankle disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the left ankle claim and concluding that the psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's bipolar disorder, initially manifested as anxiety shortly after discharge from service, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's claims regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including post-traumatic stress disorder) and a chronic back disorder are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination and to obtain additional medical records, including from Dr. Braack.

The veteran's bilateral knee disorder, diagnosed as patellofemoral syndrome, was incurred during his active service. The Board found sufficient evidence of continuity of symptomatology to connect the current condition with his military service.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence. The case is now being sent back to the RO for obtaining medical records and information from USASCRUR regarding the veteran's alleged in-service stressors.

The Board is remanding the case to review the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to additional evidence and further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for further verification of stressors, as well as additional medical records.

The veteran's schizophrenia does not render him so helpless as to be unable to care for himself, protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his environment or attend to the needs of nature, nor does it prevent him from leaving his home. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or upon housebound status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's genitourinary disability is not service-connected, and his psychiatric disability claim requires further examination and consideration.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective from July 25, 1994. The attorney is entitled to 20% of the past-due benefits awarded for this award.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice and for additional development of the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability and denied service connection for PID and a sinus/respiratory disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and an increased rating for diabetes mellitus, finding that his current psychiatric condition is not related to his active military service or his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied a higher evaluation for schizophrenia from September 29, 1997 to January 4, 2000, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records related to a court martial and seeking SSA medical records. A new VA psychiatric examination is also required.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an orthopedic evaluation to determine if the veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service.