Acquired psychiatric disorder decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection. The claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) are also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral knee arthritis as the condition did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was found to have a level II hearing and speech recognition of 94 percent, resulting in a noncompensable evaluation. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for his service-connected left ear hearing loss.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD at any time during the pendency of the appeal and that acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD were not related to service, a psychosis did not manifest itself within one year of service, and it was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and chronic renal failure are not fully resolved due to inconsistencies in his reported stressors and military service, leading to a mixed disposition. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions may be related to his military service but there is insufficient evidence to establish direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot and ankle disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a compensable rating for his service-connected fracture of the left fifth metatarsal. The decision also determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for right foot and ankle trauma.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has recharacterized the Veteran's claim for service connection for 'bi-polar disorder and PTSD' as one for entitlement to service connection for PTSD and one for entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development related to his claimed in-service stressors and special operations.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have an acquired psychiatric disorder or diabetes mellitus during service and has not been shown to be related thereto.,There is no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's post-service medical records do not show a diagnosis of this condition.

The Board has not scheduled the Veteran's requested hearing and is now remanding the case for clarification on whether he wishes a videoconference or Travel Board hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and attempting to obtain SSA records.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the current nature and likely etiology of any psychiatric disability since the Veteran filed his claim in November 2009, as well as VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address his eye disorders, mental health conditions, and diabetes mellitus type II with retinopathy.

The Board found that the evidence does not clearly and unmistakably show a preexisting psychiatric disorder, and the preponderance of the evidence is against finding an acquired psychiatric disorder was initially manifested during or related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria to establish service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression due to lack of credible in-service stressors. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bowel incontinence, and bladder incontinence are not related to active duty service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions were less likely as not incurred or caused by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the March 1983 rating decision contained CUE in failing to grant service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, and thus grants the Veteran's claim with an effective date of March 25, 1982 (the day following separation from active duty).

The Veteran's hepatitis C was found to be asymptomatic after December 31, 2005. The Board granted a disability rating of 10 percent from July 24, 2003 (the date his claim was received) to December 31, 2005.,The Veteran's hepatitis C is not entitled to a compensable rating since December 31, 2005.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain medical records and the Veteran's consent for VA to seek additional private treatment records. The claims will be remanded for this purpose.