Bipolar disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran's claim will be adjudicated based on the evidence available.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 100% since the initial rating period, and his TDIU claim is moot as he no longer meets the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's bipolar disorder began in service. The other issues remain pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted, but his cervical spine and bipolar disorder claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, alcohol induced bipolar disorder (also known as substance induced mood disorder), is not related to his in-service adjustment disorder with depressed mood and is caused by his abuse of alcohol.

The Board denied service connection for urinary tract infections, left hip disability, right foot tendonitis, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis as secondary to the Veteran's Peyronie's disease. The other claims were not addressed in detail.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and SSA records, conducting examinations, and reviewing the medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to her military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his service, including an in-service B-52 aircraft fire incident. The claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, left ear hearing loss disability, and left knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for bipolar disorder was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol and polysubstance abuse in remission, and personality disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Board will also assess whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar type 1, results in total occupational and social impairment. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the entire appeal period from July 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the true nature of the Veteran's conditions and failure to obtain service personnel records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a seizure disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depression is at least as likely as not related to her service, including her in-service sexual assault and giving up a child for adoption. The Board also found that her depression was aggravated by her service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal regarding the right ankle disability and PTSD/bipolar disorder issues.