Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for disorders of both shoulders and arms on a direct basis, as well as secondary to the service-connected residual scar from a shrapnel wound in the right scapula. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder was also denied as secondary to the same scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is related to his military service, specifically his time in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and gastroenteritis due to a lack of current diagnoses and insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for schizophrenia has not been finalized by the Board, so he is not eligible to have attorney fees paid from past-due benefits.

The veteran's psychiatric condition, which is his only service-connected disability and rated at 100%, does not meet the criteria for Special Monthly Compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against the veteran's claim that his current psychiatric disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a psychiatric examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability is plausible and granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected schizophrenia, undifferentiated type, was granted by the Board. The effective date is not specified as it is a grant of benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cervical spine disorder were well-grounded, but denied her claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by dizziness due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected paranoid schizophrenia rendered him unable to protect himself from daily environmental hazards, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service medical records and the appellant's duty to submit any relevant evidence. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the March 1993 rating decision is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's schizo-affective disorder is of service origin and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, nicotine dependence, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The decision also found that a September 1967 rating decision denying service connection for schizophrenia was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The veteran's schizophrenia, which causes total occupational and social impairment, is granted a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist scar is well grounded. The VA duty to assist the veteran includes obtaining all relevant records, including reports of his recent treatment at the VA medical facility in Albany, New York.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further development.