Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, was granted an initial rating of 70 percent prior to November 4, 2016.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between her current psychiatric and foot disabilities and her military service. The Veteran will be provided another opportunity to provide additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and scheduling an audiological examination. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated following these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from treating providers and will seek additional evidence before deciding the service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders, bipolar disorder and panic disorder, had their onset in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and a need for an updated VA medical opinion.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder, and there is no causal link between his service and these conditions. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability did not result from service. The claim was denied.

The Board has expanded and recharacterized the issue as entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective bipolar manic disorder, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The claim is being remanded due to failure of the Appellant to appear for a VA examination and incomplete private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal involves a rating for her left wrist condition and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including private treatment records and SSI disability benefits file. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess the severity of her left wrist condition and determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, Adjustment Disorder, Depressive Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including OCD, PTSD, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and bipolar disorder, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service stressors or a nexus between current diagnoses and military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and stress is granted as the evidence shows that his condition was incurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is not related to service, but has granted service connection for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma (MST).

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to April 2, 2009. As of April 2, 2009, the disability caused total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is etiologically related to military service and has granted the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, are as likely as not related to his period of active duty service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of VA medical records and a need for a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, is now before the RO again.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors could not be verified, and thus service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and bipolar disorder) was denied. Service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied.