Bipolar disorder decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD, finding that new and material evidence was received. The case is now remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, verify the claimed in-service stressor, and schedule a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU rating is remanded due to its inextricability with the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability evaluation and TDIU was denied. The temporary total rating claim due to hospitalization in excess of 21 days was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety disorder and bipolar mood disorder are related to his service, while there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or a link between any other psychiatric condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are not related to his military service. The in-service stressor was confirmed, but there is no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including several orthopedic conditions and bipolar disorder, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining psychological testing results and providing an addendum opinion from the June 2014 VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's back disability is found to be at least as likely as not related to his active service. The acquired psychiatric disorders are also found to be related to his service, with PTSD being diagnosed based on a stressor during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private mental health treatment records from the period of March 8, 2014 to February 8, 2015, as well as any subsequent records. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being added to the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to her military service, and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of bipolar disorder during the appeal period, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder did not manifest within one year of service and was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service.

The Veteran's son, who was a helpless child due to mental and physical defects at age 18, is now entitled to reinstatement of death pension benefits after periods of incarceration beginning June [redacted], 2010. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be decided. This includes obtaining outstanding VA and private medical records, service personnel records, SSA records, and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus manifested in service and is related to military noise exposure, thus granting service connection for tinnitus. The psychiatric disability claim remains pending as it was not addressed by the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected seizure disorder is associated with a mood disorder, which has been granted secondary to the seizure disorder. The initial rating for seizure disorder remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's depression is found to be as likely as not incurred during his active service, and the claim for service connection for depression is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, effective from August 7, 2000.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was granted service connection based on direct evidence of a current disability and its relationship to military service. The rating for the condition has been increased from 30% to 50% prior to June 1, 2012.