Bipolar disorder decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder is service-connected, while his claims for bipolar disorder and PTSD are denied due to lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder with anxiety, paranoid schizophrenia, and psychotic bipolar disorder, has resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the appeal period. The claim for TDIU is moot due to the assignment of a 100 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's total occupational and social impairment for a schedular 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9432, as well as his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service and personal assault during basic training in November 1967.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection of bipolar disorder was granted, and she received a TDIU rating effective December 17, 2007. The appellant is eligible for attorney fees from past-due benefits related to the March 2009 award of the TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement with the May 1986 rating decision denying service connection for bipolar disorder, and thus the appeal was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, including their relationship to service. The claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder and depressive symptoms are secondary to his service-connected bilateral foot/ankle disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request, and will not make a decision on the merits until after the hearing.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a psychiatric disability during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not linked to her military service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, is denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted and others are not.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including a new examination and review of Social Security Administration records. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, requesting mental health treatment records from service, and scheduling a VA examination by a psychiatrist to determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to active service.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia is not service-connected as it was not incurred or aggravated by her periods of active and inactive duty for training.,There is no evidence of a right shoulder disorder during the Veteran's periods of ACDUTRA, nor any current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and bipolar disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for hypertension associated with diastolic dysfunction is pending. The Board has not addressed this issue as it is marked as 'unknown'.,The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection claim for bipolar disorder was granted, and the Board found that there is clear and unmistakable evidence showing that bipolar disorder existed prior to service but did not find any clear and unmistakable evidence of its aggravation during service. Therefore, service connection for bipolar disorder has been established.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which was secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and hypertension, is granted.