Bipolar disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran not receiving previous correspondence and for obtaining VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and assigned a rating of 100 percent, effective March 14, 1995. The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 24, 2006 for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder and a total disability rating for this condition. The Veteran's low back disorder is also service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition other than PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a psychiatric examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the appellant's period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in August 1996 and to obtain her entire Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder has been withdrawn. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis is being reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection for hypertension is also being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, along with other diagnosed conditions, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to May 21, 2009. The symptoms included nightmares, depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, memory loss, panic attacks, suicidal and homicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, difficulty concentrating, diminished interest in activities, intrusive thoughts, feelings of detachment, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and difficulty interacting with others.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding of a causal relationship between an acquired psychiatric disability and active service.

The Board has determined that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and major depressive disorder is granted due to the Veteran's credible testimony regarding her in-service sexual assault stressor. The evidence supports a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including a psychotic disorder), reopening the previously denied claims. The Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are found to be related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to address the nature and etiology of his current or previously diagnosed psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and DEA eligibility are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Veteran's son, J.N., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday due to a bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist arthritis is service-connected and her bipolar disorder warrants a 50 percent disability rating from May 5, 2010 forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, major depression or bipolar disorder related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD have been granted service connection, with a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective from February 3, 2009. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim of an effective date prior to January 16, 2008 for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate a CUE claim regarding the October 1976 rating decision that denied service connection for a nervous condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bipolar disorder was granted, with a 70 percent disability rating effective January 25, 2012. The claim also included consideration of accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder and granted it, based on new opinions from the Veteran's treating physicians that link his current condition to his time in service.