Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's appeal, holding that the character of his discharge from military service constituted a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia, which was first manifested during military service, is service-connected.

The veteran is not found to be mentally incompetent and therefore the appeal is denied.

The Board found that the appellant's schizophrenia met criteria for a 100% disability evaluation as of December 30, 1991. The earliest date on which it was factually ascertainable that he met these criteria is December 30, 1991. Therefore, an effective date of December 30, 1991 for the award of a 100% disability evaluation for schizophrenia is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appellant's claims are based on his current diagnosis of depression, which he attributes to substance abuse rather than military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, but denied it on the merits due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for secondary service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and increased ratings for his foot disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a psychiatric disorder was denied because granting the request would not result in additional periodic monthly benefits due and unpaid for the two years prior to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric impairment is not due to events in service and instead linked to an injury he sustained after discharge.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and ear disability, including hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the proper amount of separation pay to be recouped from VA disability benefits is $24,039.94 due to a change in law regarding Federal taxes withheld.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The claim for a psychiatric disorder was reopened, but the new evidence did not establish service connection. Claims for lung, low back, hearing loss, tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome, and carbon tetrachloride exposure were also denied.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service or within one year post-service, and concluded that the veteran's current psychiatric condition is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder and thus cannot establish service connection.

The veteran's paranoid schizophrenia has been found to be productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disability present during or within one year after service, and concluded that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that the current psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated during active duty and attributing them to pre-service origins.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that his current condition is not related to an incident of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking his current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as dysthymic disorder and major depression, to any incident of service.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a chronic neuropsychiatric disability, claimed as PTSD. If new and material evidence is found, the Board will then decide whether the reopened claim should be granted based on the merits.