Bipolar disorder decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service personal assault stressor is credible and has granted service connection for PTSD. The diagnoses of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are also supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and verifying inservice stressors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's ADHD and its relationship to his service-connected PTSD with Bipolar Disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in active service and granted service connection for this condition. The claim for service connection for leioblastoma is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his active service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral wrist joint disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision found that her diagnoses were not related to service.

The appellant has withdrawn the appeal, and as a result, the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal includes a claim for an increased rating for her lumbar sprain and strain, currently rated at 20 percent. She also has a claim for TDIU based on all of her service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain updated examinations and ensure compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and a stomach disability has been reopened. The evidence supports the reopening of both claims, but further development is needed to determine if there is a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an examination to determine if service connection is warranted for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claims are also being reviewed for any additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder with psychotic features of depression is denied as there was no receipt of a formal or informal claim within one year after separation from service, and the earliest entitlement arose date is June 9, 1983.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was granted a 70 percent rating effective from July 20, 2001. The appeal is for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, dysthymic disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Additionally, he needs a VA examination to assess whether his current left ankle disability is related to service or if it was caused by his service-connected chronic right ankle sprain.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating or additional service connection. The scar of the left parietal area of the scalp, while present, did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with psychosis, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder. The issues of PTSD and a right hip disability remain on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for further adjudication.

The Board found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disability in service or within one year post-service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders to his military service. The Board determined that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection for PTSD should be remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.