Bipolar disorder decisions — 2016

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed head injury, memory loss, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The Board found that the injuries occurred as a result of the Veteran's own willful misconduct involving alcohol abuse.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and TDIU. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was granted, but this does not affect the current issues as it is a complete grant of that claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and clarification of the rating decision.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bipolar disorder is related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the cervical spine remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection were dismissed as the decisions assigning the effective dates have become final.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The appellant's current low back disorder is also considered related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to address the severity and manifestations of his bipolar disorder during specific periods and whether he experienced total social and industrial impairment prior to August 25, 1992.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are not related to his military service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment from June 1, 2011 to April 11, 2014. The claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability prior to April 12, 2014 is moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar II disorder, is at least as likely as not related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board or videoconference hearing. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to specified dates for various service connection determinations. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA mental health records and back treatment records from August 2015 to the present. A VA psychiatrist will provide an opinion on whether his acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service or service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The lumbar spine claim will also be addressed with a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for bipolar disorder II. The Veteran's claim will be further developed before being reconsidered.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder), hypertension, and post-traumatic arthritis of the right ankle. The Veteran's bladder disorder is not considered in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his active military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, was rated at 70 percent from July 3, 2003, through June 7, 2009. The effective date for the TDIU is set to June 8, 2008.