Bipolar disorder decisions — 2014

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder with acute psychosis resulted in total occupational and social impairment throughout the period on appeal, warranting a 100% disability rating effective May 17, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Service Disorder (PTSD) based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which was not previously considered in a prior denial of his claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including as secondary to service-connected hearing loss, was not established. The Board also denied service connection for tinnitus and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for proper notice regarding service connection based on personal assault and obtaining updated treatment records from the Albuquerque VAMC.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the provision of records from any recent treatment. The issues include seeking an increased rating for bipolar disorder and determining whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a clear and unmistakable error was not committed in the June 2009 grant of service connection for bipolar disorder. Service connection is restored.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's fatal liver cancer and his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, mood/cognitive disorder, and post-concussive syndrome, are service-connected as they resulted from a head injury sustained in an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder and bipolar type, is not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination, and all outstanding records will be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including psychotic symptoms, was manifested to a compensable degree within the first post-service year and is presumed to have had its onset during service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including bipolar affective disorder, is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar myositis and right rotator cuff tendonitis. The appeal for the cervical spine disability issue has been withdrawn.