Bipolar disorder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for bipolar disorder was granted. The appellant is entitled to additional attorney fees of $170.40 from past-due benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Substance Abuse Disorders, and Personality Disorder. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or continuity of symptoms related to these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, has been rated as 100 percent disabling since November 22, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing due to the Veteran's request. The appeal is not fully resolved as it remains on hold until further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including personality disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective January 12, 2007. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and bipolar disorder, is denied as there is no medical evidence to satisfy the third prong of the service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, was not first manifested on active duty service or for many years after separation from service and is not shown to be related to military service.

The Board found that the character of discharge from the Veteran's period of service is a bar to VA benefits and denied claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current residuals of a head injury and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for ER visits at JFK Medical Center and WRMC were denied as the services provided did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment, and VA was available and accessible.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has now granted a higher rating of 70 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of meningitis, and thus service connection for spinal meningitis is denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder with anxiety) was granted as these conditions are found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability and gynecological disorder are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, paranoid schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, verifying in-service stressors, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, urticaria (claimed as rash on back, neck, and arms), eye disability (allergic conjunctivitis/dry eyes), and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder/ depression) are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left leg radiculopathy is also being remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder prior to October 15, 2009. The Veteran's initial disability rating for bipolar disorder was also granted at a higher level.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examiner's opinion on the mental health claim and determining if any visual disability is related to service-connected hydrocephalus with associated headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination. The TDIU claim will be deferred until the increased rating claim is resolved.