Bipolar disorder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of his osteoarthritis of the left foot and psychiatric disorders, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD or other psychiatric disorders that were incurred in service. The clinical evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no indication of such a condition during her military service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 28, 2010, for a 50% disability evaluation for his psychiatric disorder is granted. The effective date was determined based on the fact that the Veteran became entitled to this rating on June 28, 2010, when he began reporting for VA psychotherapy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including his bipolar disorder, did not have onset in service and was not caused by or related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and his diagnosed depression, possible bipolar disorder, and heroin/cocaine abuse are not caused or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's statements about PTSD were not credible and did not meet the criteria for a mental health condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder. The case is being returned to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and fairly consider the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. This includes obtaining VA medical records from various facilities, Social Security Administration records, and service personnel records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and her other psychiatric conditions are not related to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder. The evidence shows that these conditions had their onset during his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder are pending.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that there was CUE in the June 1996 rating decision denying service connection for an adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, and thus grants an earlier effective date of December 14, 1994 for the award of service connection for bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bipolar disorder is attributable to service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the existence of PTSD and the etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including whether they are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, or cervical spine disorder that is service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury for any of these conditions.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and deck logs from the USS Merrill. The Veteran's in-service stressor will also be evaluated.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder, recurrent, with psychotic features; psychotic disorder, NOS; and bipolar I disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder and acquired psychiatric disability has been granted, with the effective date set at April 27, 1990.