Bipolar disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from military bases and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently has an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service was due to willful and persistent misconduct, but is considering whether his mental health issues at the time of discharge could be considered 'insane' under VA regulations. The appeal is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder and granted it. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence of a verified in-service stressor for PTSD and concluded that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is considered directly related to service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders. The AOJ will consider all relevant evidence and readjudicate the case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination by a psychiatrist or psychologist to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder related to service or a service-connected disability, for which service connection has already been established.,Prostate cancer was not incurred in or as a result of service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.,Glaucoma is not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that is attributable to his military service and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The rating for the right fourth finger has been restored to 10 percent effective January 1, 2013, and a compensable rating for umbilical hernia has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is not caused or aggravated by his active duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of substantial compliance with previous instructions, and additional mental health records are requested.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of January 4, 2010 for his TDIU. The claim for service connection of a sinonasal disorder was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that he became unemployable due to this condition during the one year prior to the receipt of his claim.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the claims of entitlement to service connection for neurology problems exclusive of fibromyalgia symptoms, bilateral hearing loss disability, and fibrocystic breast disease prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, were preexisting. The VA examinations did not link these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for disability of the left leg, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, rendering him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the increased rating for bipolar disorder and also granted TDIU.

The Board has not addressed the claims for service connection for hepatitis C and type II diabetes mellitus as they are pending before the AOJ. The Veteran's claim to reopen his psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with depression, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to his time in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records, including service treatment records and mental health records from Mercy Network and Easter Seals. The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating for the entire initial rating period.