Bipolar disorder decisions — 2014

The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show a pre-existing psychiatric disorder was aggravated by service, thus denying the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, to include bipolar disorder and depression, are not related to service or to an incident of service origin.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability to 20 percent effective June 28, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for onychomycosis was granted, resulting in a 10 percent rating. The issue of service connection for bipolar disorder is dismissed as the benefit sought has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from various VA facilities and the SSA, as well as a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to ensure that it may be properly adjudicated, including obtaining an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed schizophrenia and any other psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is attributable to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a bipolar disorder and an anxiety disorder with a functional/psychogenic gastrointestinal disorder, effective as of March 15, 2001.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a disability rating of 100 percent throughout the period of her claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication, including reconsideration of the initial rating assigned for service-connected bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, and a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding her ability to work.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, bipolar disorder, and low back degenerative joint disease have been granted service connection. The rating for bipolar disorder has been increased to 50 percent. Service connection for the low back condition is denied as there are no separate compensable neurological disabilities or ankylosis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including acquired psychiatric disorders, thyroidectomy residuals, kidney stones, neck disorder, muscle disorder, digestive disorder, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether claims for service connection for migraine headaches and hypertensive vascular disease are being raised, as well as scheduling a Board videoconference hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to appear at his scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be returned for further development if needed.

The Board found no evidence of a psychosis during service or within one year following discharge, and there is no probative medical opinion linking the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for depression and bipolar disorder was denied.

The Veteran's increased rating for bipolar disorder from 30% to 50% effective March 10, 2009 was granted. The claim remains in controversy as the Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining psychiatric treatment records and an examination to address the relationship between any current psychiatric disability and service. The Veteran's claim for bipolar disorder is still pending.

The Veteran's cause of death was not due to his service-connected disabilities, and the medications he was prescribed did not contribute to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder warranted a 70 percent evaluation effective September 23, 2014, based on evidence showing significant impairment and symptoms consistent with the criteria for such a rating.