Bipolar disorder decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that had its onset in service, manifested within one year of discharge, or is otherwise related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date prior to December 11, 2007 were not met as there was no evidence of increased disability during the one-year period prior to the claim. The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 30 percent from January 27, 1999 and then increased to 70 percent effective December 7, 2011.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD with an associated substance abuse disorder and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's account of exposure to traumatic in-service stressors is credible. The Board also found no evidence of a pre-existing psychiatric condition aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as additional VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have tinnitus, PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety, pinched nerve, ADHD and ODD, or scoliosis during service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The new evidence submitted includes opinions from Dr. C.B., who opines that the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his in-service boxing injury, while Dr. K.B.'s earlier opinion suggested pre-existing psychological issues. A VA examination is needed to determine if any pre-existing conditions were clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The decision is based on the direct relationship between her reported in-service stressors and her current diagnoses of PTSD and other mental health conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder but denied service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder other than anxiety disorder. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is related to her military service, while the other psychiatric disorders are not shown to be related to her service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, were incurred in active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine if the appellant was permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18 years old, and has ordered further medical records and a VA social worker's opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to service or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and restless leg syndrome are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic sinusitis or chronic fatigue syndrome, and the left shoulder strain was not shown to be related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as well as his left ankle disability. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for bipolar disorder and to reopen his claim for right ear infection. The issues of service connection for left knee disability and bilateral eye infections have been remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, but denied the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed PTSD and bipolar disorder are not related to her active service, as there is no credible evidence of an in-service personal assault. The diagnoses have changed over time, with different VA examiners listing different primary conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, cardiovascular disease, and low back disability were denied as the evidence did not establish an in-service event or injury that could be linked to his current conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD, is not related to service. The claim was denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors supporting her PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his previously-denied claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and also granted the reopened claim on the merits. The Veteran was diagnosed with bipolar disorder that is likely as not having its onset during service.