Bipolar disorder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and clarification of her National Guard service.

The Veteran's service-connected mental health disability (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) contributed to his death from pneumonia, thus warranting service connection for the cause of death. As this claim is granted, the DIC based on 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as a greater benefit has been awarded.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, panic disorder, schizophrenia with depression, anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, were incurred during his military service. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as any SSA records. The claims will be adjudicated in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the appellant's claims for DIC and DEA benefits, including obtaining an autopsy report and VA treatment records. The Veteran's death may be related to service-connected conditions or improper VA treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and hepatitis C is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his mental health conditions.

The Veteran is granted additional special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and loss of use of both feet from July 22, 2008 to July 7, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various psychiatric disorders is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10% evaluation for left ear hearing loss. The heart disability to include coronary artery disease, seizure disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder) are not service connected.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, and severe depression, are not service connected due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty. The in-service drug use is considered willful misconduct.,Left hip osteoarthritis was not present during service or within one year post-service and is unrelated to service-connected disability. Atherosclerotic vascular calcification was also not present during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding post-service treatment records and a need for updates on the VA PTSD/MST memorandum of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an updated VA examination to address the etiology of his prostate cancer and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for further proceedings due to issues with credibility and lack of contemporaneous medical records. The Veteran's allegation of an in-service personal assault is now considered credible, and a VA examination is required to determine if any psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining VA treatment records. A new examination is also required to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in a GAF score of 30 during an inpatient stay, qualifying for a 70% rating from October 29, 2007 to November 13, 2007. The TDIU was granted effective December 20, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a clinical opinion regarding whether his pre-existing mental health condition was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder NOS, bipolar disorder, and COPD, is being considered as part of this reopening.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The case will be returned to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further action.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.