Bipolar disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a personal assault stressor notice letter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, was incurred during active service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder have not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so a rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for various psychiatric conditions, chronic pneumonitis, LBBB, ulcerative colitis, and TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish such a connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service, and were not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board found that the evidence does not establish a service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-service existence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bipolar disorder with depression, finding that no legal merit exists as his original claim was not timely appealed.

The Board is reopening the claims for Hairy Cell Leukemia and Bipolar Disorder due to new and material evidence, but remanding them for further development.,New medical records from during service indicate the Veteran had mental health issues including depression and suicide ideation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-patient treatment records and verifying the Veteran's reported stressors. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's character of discharge is not a bar to VA compensation benefits due to evidence showing he was insane at the time of his misconduct.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The symptoms include chronic sleep impairment, intrusive memories and nightmares, panic attacks, depressed mood, hypervigilance, disturbances in motivation and mood, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, difficulty adapting to stressful situations, impaired impulse control, and difficulty establishing and maintaining work and social relationships.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD is related to her service, and therefore grants service connection for PTSD. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if the Appellant was insane at the time of his multiple periods of AWOL during service and whether any psychiatric disorder found is related to military service. The case will be returned for further proceedings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right chronic Achilles tendonitis, cervical spine disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression), migraine headaches, radiculopathy, and thoracic outlet syndrome was granted with an effective date of September 28, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining alternative service information regarding the Veteran's period of ACDUTRA and any private medical records. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, and PTSD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression. The new evidence shows that her current diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are related to military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements and render him unemployable.