Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The veteran's paranoid schizophrenia, which was previously rated at 70 percent, is now rated at 100 percent effective from January 16, 1999. The rating agency found that the veteran's condition warranted a 100 percent disability rating due to his significant impairment in social and industrial adaptability.

The Board found that the additional evidence submitted since the December 1994 rating decision is not new and material, as it does not show a current nervous condition (schizophrenia) related to service or having an onset during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's combat experiences are sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD and have remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has reviewed the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The BVA found that there was no verified in-service stressor and that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. As such, the BVA denied the veteran's claim as it pertains to service connection.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. The new evidence submitted supports a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder including sinusitis and tonsillitis, as well as her claim for an increased rating for bilateral residuals of resection arthroplasty of the proximal inter phalangeal joints of the fourth and fifth toes. The veteran was granted a 20% disability rating for each foot.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for swollen feet and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia. The denial was based on a lack of evidence to support these claims.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for PTSD, but not for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The veteran's claims are remanded for further development of his service connection for PTSD.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claim on the merits.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and will remand the case for additional development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, as he is able to perform daily functions and protect himself from hazards.

The veteran's schizophrenia was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss. This warranted a 30 percent disability evaluation.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for lymphoblastic lymphoma and service connection for psychiatric disability secondary to lymphoblastic lymphoma are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and adjudicating issues related to a reduction in evaluation and service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to new and material evidence. The issue of hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and alcohol and drug abuse as a result of a psychiatric disorder are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorder did not result from treatment provided by VA during his hospitalization in 1983, and thus compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an unclear VA examination report and a need for clarification of the appellant's psychiatric history.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dementia and to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder characterized as chronic depressive reaction. The RO is instructed to obtain additional development, including obtaining medical records related to the veteran's dementia and requesting an expert opinion on whether his dementia is etiologically related to military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for paranoid type schizophrenia was granted, effective from November 5, 1990. The earlier effective date for service connection and the TDIU rating were also granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a gastrointestinal disorder. Further development is needed before these claims can be fully adjudicated.