Bipolar disorder decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The claim of service connection for right pes planus has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and VA examination.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining deck logs from the USS Merrill and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between the Veteran's in-service event and any current acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and hypertension. The Veteran's bipolar disorder by history is not considered to be incurred in or caused by his military service, and the hypertension is not found to be related to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for PTSD and Schizophreniform Disorder with Paranoia (also claimed as severe depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder).,However, the claim remains on appeal as new evidence does not establish service connection.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent since October 3, 2007, through August 30, 2013. This rating reflects significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and providing notice regarding service connection for PTSD based on in-service personal assault.

The Board granted service connection for somatoform disorder and hypertension, finding that these conditions were etiologically related to the Veteran's service. The other claims of service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, sleep disorder, anxiety attacks, schizophrenia, and depression, is related to his service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and depression, is service connected as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. His bilateral foot disability is also service connected. The RO reduced the rating for his low back disability from 40% to 20%, effective July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders, low blood pressure, and headaches.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, is aggravated by his service-connected headache and neck disabilities. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, is etiologically related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that there is at least an equal amount of evidence supporting the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding it more likely than not that his current condition began during military service. As a result, the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The right shoulder disability increased rating claim is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions. The evidence shows that his current diagnoses are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as bipolar disorder with depression, is being remanded due to inadequate development of in-service mental health treatment records and the need for a sufficient etiological opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD, finding that the Veteran's conditions were aggravated by service. The rating assigned is 100%.