Bipolar disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) and denied the remaining issues of service connection. The Veteran's eczematoid dermatitis is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder and is now remanding the case for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, originated during his active service and the Board has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, hands, and shoulders. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to determine whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 18, 2005 for a 50 percent rating for bipolar disorder. The Veteran's symptoms were more closely productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinion for all psychiatric disorders other than PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of Bipolar disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder are also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with appropriate examinations to determine the etiology of his shin splints and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder with PTSD, which was initially rated as 30 percent disabling and later increased to 70 percent effective April 5, 2000, is granted. The effective date for the 70 percent rating remains April 5, 2000.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation. The residuals of his right eye orbital fracture are rated at 10 percent.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorder, began during service due to his inability to perform parachute jumps as a result of physical ailments in service. The diagnosis is considered direct service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and obtain his service personnel records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with bipolar disorder NOS, is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder, were incurred during his active service due to a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities are granted with an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to June 18, 2012, and in excess of 50 percent since then. The claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and uterine fibroids have been reopened but not decided.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a previous decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type) and substance abuse as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded for further development regarding residuals of a head injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence linking any diagnosed condition to his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety and mood disorders are found to have been incurred in military service. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than anxiety and mood disorders, increased evaluation for the lumbar spine disability, and entitlement to TDIU are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his psychiatric disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating, his headache disability did not warrant an initial rating in excess of 30 percent, and he did not have PTSD or bipolar disorder.