Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is so severe as to render him demonstrably unable to maintain or retain employment, warranting a 100% disability rating since December 9, 1994.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection. The veteran's cesarean section scar was found to be a natural result of childbirth and not a medical complication of pregnancy. Her psychiatric residuals from miscarriage were not linked to active duty service. The latex allergy was rated based on its impact on her work as an operating room nurse, but did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, but finds that there is no new and material evidence to support the reopening. The Board also concludes that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not well grounded as they do not have a direct relationship with his military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for keloid acne. The issue regarding whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability and residuals of a left knee injury. However, it was determined that the appellant's character of discharge from military service is under dishonorable conditions due to willful and persistent misconduct (AWOL), which constitutes a bar to VA benefits other than health care and related benefits authorized by Chapter 17, Title 38, United States Code.

The Board found that the veteran does not have PTSD related to active service and concluded that his antisocial personality disorder, with attendant substance abuse, is the primary cause of his psychiatric symptoms. The claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was also denied due to the presence of nonservice-connected disabilities.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, COPD, neck injury residuals, lumbar strain, chronic non-specific dermatitis, and scars from cervical traction have been granted. The effective date for the COPD rating increase is April 30, 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for schizophrenia, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for chronic paranoid schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted, and his abdominal scar with incisional hernia, status post Meckel's diverticulum, is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder, a condition he currently suffers from, began during his military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied DIC benefits due to a lack of service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, and did not consider the appellant's argument that the claim should have been evaluated under 38 U.S.C. § 1318(b).

The Board has found that the veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is well-grounded and granted this issue. The veteran was also provided with another VA examination to clarify his fibromyalgia, but further verification of stressors in service is needed.

The veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and hypoglycemia are denied as there is no competent medical evidence to support these claims.

The veteran's schizophrenia, undifferentiated type is productive of hallucinations and threats of self-harm, as well as some homicidal ideation. The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board has found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability. The RO must verify all periods of the appellant's ROTC training, including the period from June 14, 1974.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the veteran's death.

The veteran's schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder have been granted a 100% disability evaluation, effective March 7, 1999. Temporary total ratings for hospitalizations from November 9, 1995 to January 31, 1996; February 10, 1996 to February 15, 1996; and March 7, 1999 to May 25, 1999 have also been granted.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and service or any inservice exposure to Agent Orange.