Bipolar disorder decisions — 2014

The Veteran died of metastatic melanoma, which was not service-connected. The Board found that his bipolar disorder did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, mood disorder not otherwise specified, and general anxiety disorder, are less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar affective disorder has caused significant impairment in his occupational and social functioning, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's Social Security Administration records and providing a supplemental medical opinion regarding his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not related to his military service and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, personality disorder, and PTSD, were not related to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including service personnel records and mental health treatment records. The case will be returned for further examination if additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's death was caused by renal cell carcinoma, but the appellant contends that his service-connected disabilities contributed to his use of analgesic medications which may have led to his cancer. The Board finds a need for an expert medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is pending.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bipolar disorder, as it is presumed that he was sound at entry into service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder. The evidence received since the final April 1997 denial is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's reported stressors were not verified and the medical evidence did not establish a link between any current psychiatric condition and his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claim due to outstanding service records and treatment records, as well as military personnel records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder(s) is being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder), finding that there was no in-service injury or event related to these conditions, nor continuous symptoms since service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not clearly and unmistakably have a pre-existing psychiatric disability, and thus service connection cannot be granted for any current acquired psychiatric disability. The claim is denied.