Bipolar disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that metastatic melanoma was not related to service and that bipolar disorder did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and finds that new evidence received since the August 2005 rating decision tends to substantiate the Veteran's claim. The Board also finds that service connection is warranted as the Veteran's current psychiatric/psychotic disorder is shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and ADHD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claims for a seizure disorder (secondary to alcohol abuse) and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder began in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be handled by scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder and granted secondary service connection to his existing disabilities.

The Board denied VA benefits because the Veteran's discharge from his second period of service was dishonorable due to a court martial conviction for willful and persistent misconduct, and there is no evidence he was insane at the time of the offenses.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, with rapid cycling was denied as there is no evidence that he met all eligibility criteria on or before May 6, 2010.

The Veteran is entitled to the maximum level of Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits due to his discharge from service due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, are likely to have been manifested during service. The evidence supports a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, finding that new and material evidence has been presented. The case is now remanded for further development including an examination and attempt to confirm stressors.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, was incurred during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to verify stressor events and obtain a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing via live videoconference.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI, bipolar disorder with panic attacks, and tinnitus are all related to his service-connected TBI. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains under review.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.