Bipolar disorder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to have begun during service and has continued since, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include bipolar disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including as due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has expanded the issue to include any acquired psychiatric disability due to Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. (2009). The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and other diagnosed mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression was granted. The issue of increased evaluation for his service-connected bronchial asthma remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA opinion on the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to inadequacy of a previous VA examination.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric and orthopedic disabilities, as well as to ensure proper consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for any other acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and psychotic depression, as the evidence does not show that these conditions began during active duty or are otherwise related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with its previous orders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a Statement of the Case regarding the initial compensable disability rating for service-connected sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD and there was no clear and unmistakable existence prior to service. The current psychiatric disorders were found to be less likely related to the Veteran's period of service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as thoracolumbar spine spondylosis and intervertebral disc syndrome. The appeal regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include posttraumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder) is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities other than PTSD were not incurred or aggravated due to active service, and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The claim for service connection for dental trauma to tooth number 10 was granted.

The Veteran's psychological disabilities, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, have been characterized by significant occupational and social impairment warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to personal assault is being remanded as additional evidence and a VA examination are needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is related to his active service and grants this claim.

The Board found that the Appellant's psychiatric disability did not originate during his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and verifying stressor events.