Bipolar disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining more specific details about the Veteran's claimed stressor event and attempting to corroborate it. The Veteran is also asked to provide any relevant treatment records from VA or private providers.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claims by his authorized representative prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or a link between the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and his military service, thus denying service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck pain, spasms, and headaches are not related to his service injury in 2001. The claim for residuals of a neck injury was denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability during service or continuity of symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and bipolar disorder with alcohol abuse have been rated at 70 percent since October 16, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression, is currently rated at 70 percent since April 11, 2011. The Board has also granted TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that there is no diagnosis of PTSD in the Veteran's records and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder with depression and psychotic features due to new evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 70 percent effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric conditions, including Asperger's syndrome, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, were not aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's mood disorder is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board found that it does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this amount.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to his military service. The Veteran must also provide additional information about his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the provision of VCAA notice concerning his claim for TDIU benefits. The RO must also attempt to obtain relevant private and VA medical records from specific facilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder and fatigue, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for secondary service connection to his lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a current psychiatric disability related to her active military service and denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from law enforcement authorities and attempting to obtain lay witness statements. A VA medical opinion is also needed to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.