Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by muscle and joint pain, fatigue, and irritable bowel symptoms due to lack of evidence linking the disability to service. Service connection was granted for generalized anxiety disorder incurred in service. The Board also denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which was previously denied in a May 1995 decision. The appellant now contends that his current diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia is related to his period of military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating evaluation for his service-connected schizophrenia was denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA psychiatric examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The issue of whether service connection should be granted will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder related to his service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected psychophysiologic factors affecting physical condition superimposed on arterial hypertension with sinus tachycardia renders him demonstrably unable to obtain or retain employment, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits, finding that it was not factually ascertainable prior to April 3, 1996 that he was unemployable due to his service-connected schizophrenia.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder in 1984, concluding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of schizophrenia during or shortly after service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence of chronic disabilities within one year post-service or any link to service.

The veteran's claim for earlier effective date of May 30, 2000 for special monthly pension based on housebound status was granted. The decision also confirmed his entitlement to special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance as of February 4, 1997.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, characterized as variously anxiety reaction, mixed psychoneurosis, and paranoid schizophrenia, is currently in remission and does not interfere with occupational or social functioning. The VA examiner found no evidence of current symptoms that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the May 1971 rating decision denying service connection for passive aggressive personality disorder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The appeal regarding an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia, effective from November 7, 1996. The disability is currently manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired short- and long-term memory, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Board found that the submitted evidence was not new and material, thus denying the reopening of claims for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia and pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury and did not find new and material evidence to reopen claims for personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The veteran's low back disorder is not linked to military service, and he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the November 1973 rating decision denying service connection for a nervous condition was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus reversing the earlier effective date determination.

The Board found that the July 1964 rating decision denying service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder was not based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing schizophrenia existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.