Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 13, 1998, for a grant of nonservice-connected pension benefits due to his psychiatric disability. The RO granted the claim based on a psychiatric report dated August 5, 1997, which showed that he was permanently and totally disabled.

The Board found that the appellant did not become permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining 18 years of age, and thus denied the claim for VA benefits based on permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age 18.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is well-grounded and grants this claim. The Board also finds that the veteran's current diagnosis of psychosis, most consistent with schizophrenia, had its inception during his military service. However, the claims for lumbosacral strain, hearing loss, and peptic ulcer disease are not well-grounded as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and for bilateral hearing loss are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for residuals of an injury to the right second toe is well grounded. However, her claims for service connection for stomach ulcers, acquired psychiatric disorder, headache disorder, perforated right eardrum, and a disorder manifested by anemia are not well grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The appellant's claim for service connection for mitral valve prolapse, chronic fatigue syndrome, uterine fibroids, asthma, and syncope also lacks sufficient evidence to be considered well grounded.

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

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for schizophrenic reaction due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board granted an effective date of March 21, 1989 for service connection of psychiatric disability and a rating of 10 percent from that date to July 1, 1992.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, and a skin condition were not well grounded. The claim for PTSD was granted due to new evidence, but the other conditions were denied as implausible.

The Board determined that the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected inactive pulmonary tuberculosis, and has not been aggravated by it.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including substance abuse, is not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between current disability and military service.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to have his hearing rescheduled due to a pre-scheduled physician's appointment, and he is now eligible for a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's psychiatric disorder, headaches, and skin lesions were not found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a mental disorder, low back disability, and right foot disability are not well-grounded. The evidence submitted does not establish current disabilities or show a relationship to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder, as new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The additional evidence submitted since the April 1997 decision was considered cumulative.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia, finding that the condition manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and is presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, and that this claim is well grounded. The RO should obtain all counter-designated records from Biloxi VAMC and review them in making a determination on the claim.

The Board determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is not well grounded, as there is no competent evidence linking his current psychiatric disability to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability. However, the case is remanded for further development including obtaining Social Security Administration records and determining whether the veteran is claiming additional benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if there is a nexus between the veteran's service and his current diagnosis of schizophrenia.