Bipolar disorder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, panic disorder with agoraphobia, narcissistic personality disorder, personality disorder NOS, bipolar disorder type I with psychotic features, substance abuse, and schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to verifying the Veteran's claimed MST stressor and for additional development of his psychiatric disorder claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active military service.,Service connection was also granted for bipolar disorder with depression. The Board found that hypertension is not related to the Veteran's service or any other condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain clarification on representation, as well as VA examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and providing proper VCAA notice regarding in-service personal assault or harassment. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions will be evaluated to determine if they are related to service, with particular attention given to any verified in-service personal assault event.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection for bipolar disorder was granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain complete service department records, including inpatient treatment records from October 6, 2000 to October 13, 2000. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder may have preexisted service and was not aggravated by it. A VA examination of the right ankle disorder is also required.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for bipolar disorder, as well as the issue of service connection for PTSD. The status on these issues is currently unknown.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU related to his bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for bipolar disorder effective July 30, 2004. The earlier effective date claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is moot as he has been granted a 100% schedular rating and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s). The appeal of the psychiatric disorder claims is also dismissed as they are encompassed within his now service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, panic disorder, mood disorder, and personality disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection as her acquired psychiatric disorder is considered a direct result of her service-connected personality disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left wrist is related to a fracture injury in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder) remains pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and depression. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for any pertinent medical records.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, rated at 30 percent prior to July 22, 2009, is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The rating of 50 percent from July 22, 2009 to December 15, 2009, reflects the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms causing more significant impairment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder with hypomania and social phobia. The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.