Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The appeal is based on a direct service connection theory, meaning that the VA will consider whether there is evidence to support a finding that the PTSD developed due to events in service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his schizophrenia was denied because he failed to report for a VA examination without providing good cause.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including records from the Selective Service System, Coast Guard, VAMC Louisville, Kentucky, and any other relevant health care providers. The veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit such evidence or for the RO to obtain it on his behalf.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cataracts, ocular hypertension (versus glaucoma), and a neuropsychiatric condition as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for an increased evaluation for hypertension was granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new evidence does not warrant reopening of the claim for a back disability, and that there is no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating greater than 30 percent for schizophrenia, finding that his condition did not warrant such an increase.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in November 1989, and the evidence received since then is not new and material. The claims for psychiatric disability, headaches, allergic rhinitis, residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left shoulder, leg, and toe, as well as sinusitis are all denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim, but did not address service connection or assign a rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for TDIU is denied due to a lack of evidence showing his employment status and medical records, as well as the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for schizophrenia effective September 3, 2000. The veteran's basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35 was also granted.

The VA denied an increased rating for schizophrenia, finding the disability no more than 30 percent disabling.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service or within the one-year presumptive period after separation, and concluded that the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD effective from November 26, 1991. However, the claim to reopen a previous denial of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, due to new and material evidence submitted since the July 1995 denial.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depression with anxiety and panic disorder, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for undifferentiated-type schizophrenia is granted, with the effective date set at August 30, 1973.

The VA granted the veteran's claim for an increased rating of 10 percent for schizophrenia, but did not address whether this is a new grant or if it was based on existing evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, also claimed as PTSD, due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that the veteran's condition did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty and was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder, an acquired psychiatric disability, had its onset during his active service and grants service connection for this condition.