Bipolar disorder decisions — 2014

The Veteran's diabetes, renal failure, diabetic retinopathy, and related complications are service connected. His bipolar disorder is also service connected as secondary to his diabetes. Service connection for prostate cancer cannot be established due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, with secondary polysubstance abuse, has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment since June 26, 2013. The symptoms include cocaine and alcohol abuse, flattened affect, impaired judgment, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, depression, anxiety, irritability, suspiciousness, diminished interest/pleasure in activities, weight gain, fatigue, decreased concentration, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, disturbances in mood and motivation, nightmares, social isolation, difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The GAF scores have ranged from 45 to 61.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since November 11, 2007, due to severe symptoms including suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, chronic sleep impairment, hallucinations, flashbacks, panic attacks, and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for bipolar disorder and determined that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a relationship between the Veteran's bipolar disorder and his military service. Service connection for bipolar disorder is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records. The issues of service connection will be reconsidered after these records have been obtained.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, finding that there is no competent or credible evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD and initial evaluation of PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is September 5, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a March 2014 Memorandum Decision by the Court, which directed the Board to obtain a new medical opinion that considers the Veteran's lay assertions about in-service events.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his mental health records and a specific opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, mood disorder NOS, and bipolar II disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and a comprehensive VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing scheduled on August 20, 2014. She must be provided another opportunity for such a hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to address the presence and etiology of all psychiatric disorders other than PTSD present in the Veteran. The appeal will be REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), and adjustment disorder, which he claims as bipolar disorder. The case has been remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between medications prescribed for hepatitis C and his claimed psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, but additional development is still required before adjudicating his claim. The case must be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and other issues. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete stressor development and the need for a VA psychiatric examination. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.