Acquired psychiatric disorder Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 12, 1993 for service connection of schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type with a 100% evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and a psychiatric disorder is well-grounded. The appellant was provided with VA medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, and these claims are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disorder, and a skin disorder (claimed as a residual of Agent Orange exposure) have been denied. The RO has not considered the most recent private medical records submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's impotency is found to be proximately caused by the medications prescribed for his service-connected PTSD. The claim of diabetes mellitus remains not well grounded as no competent evidence has been submitted demonstrating a connection to military service. The veteran's PTSD is granted an increased rating from November 24, 1998.

The Board has restored the veteran's 50 percent evaluation for his service-connected schizophrenia, paranoid type.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically paranoid schizophrenia, is not well-grounded and thus denied.

The veteran's schizophrenia reaction, schizoaffective disorder is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. As a result of this rating, the claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability is moot.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of plausible evidence supporting his claims, and also denied a higher evaluation for his right knee disability.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, and his claim for TDIU is moot due to the effective date of the rating change. The schizophrenia claim has been reopened based on new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of evidence linking her current conditions to active duty service. The claims were reopened, but no new or material evidence was presented that would support granting service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder was not well-grounded due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The claim for schizophrenia was denied based on a final decision from August 4, 1972, which did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the veteran is eligible for attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded in September 1996, which granted service connection and a 50% rating for paranoid schizophrenia. The effective date of this decision was August 24, 1988.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound was denied as his overall condition is not severe enough to require such assistance.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than September 11, 1991, for a 100 percent rating for schizophrenia is denied.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because his Substantive Appeal did not contain any allegations of errors of fact or law regarding the June 1997 rating decision.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a nervous disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo due to a concussion sustained in service are partially granted. The claim of CUE regarding the October 1970 rating decision is pending.

The VA has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia, which is currently rated at 10 percent, does not warrant a higher rating due to its mild impairment of social and industrial adaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and a right shoulder disorder. However, the claims for other conditions are not well-grounded.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his seizure disorder due to a cerebral venous angioma is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.