Bipolar disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bipolar disorder. The issues of increased rating for bipolar disorder, compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for PTSD and hypertension, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and irritable bowel syndrome have been denied. The Board found no current disability or symptoms of either condition, and thus could not establish a link to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were denied, with the exception of a temporary total rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder from June 4, 2009 through July 31, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to cause significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a higher initial rating of 70 percent prior to August 10, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to an undeliverable notice of a scheduled Travel Board hearing, and the Veteran's attorney requested a delay in the hearing because he could not locate the Veteran. The case is now being returned for rescheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board is remanding the case due to inadequate notice provided in a previous decision, and requests that the Veteran provide any relevant private treatment records and VA medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder with anxiety, bipolar disorder, and a personality disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion on the extent of functional loss due to flare-ups. The issues of increased ratings for bipolar disorder and earlier effective date for service connection are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his bipolar disorder and because the issue of TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the rating decision on bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, TDIU, and DEA benefits are denied. The earliest possible effective date is October 2, 2002.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was not due to willful and persistent misconduct, thus finding it is not a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Bipolar Disorder was incurred in active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bipolar disorder and his service-connected low back disability, as well as whether it is at least as likely as not that bipolar disorder was related to service. The Veteran needs a new VA examination for these issues.

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 failure to report for a scheduled hearing. The appeal will be returned to the RO in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was found to have its onset in service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are found to be related to a conceded in-service stressor. Service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed in this decision.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, with particular focus on whether they are related to service or service-connected conditions.