Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's headaches worsen her acquired mental disorder. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has resulted in total occupational and social impairment from April 14, 2009 onwards. The effective date for the 100% rating is set at April 14, 2009.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's service connection claim for bipolar disorder and his TDIU claim due to issues regarding whether the psychiatric disorder pre-existed service.

The Board is considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder bipolar disorder, major depression with psychotic features, and PTSD. The case will be remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claims for mood disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia were granted effective from February 25, 2005. The Board found that the evidence supported service connection for these conditions based on their onset during military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and impulse control disorder, has been dismissed as the issue is moot due to the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, and alcohol/drug abuse disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type has not been shown to be etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's stepdaughter, A.S., was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, were not incurred during or as a result of military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's depressive symptoms experienced 5 months post-service were the onset of his current unspecified bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 30 percent since May 13, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms present in April 2008 warranted a rating of 70 percent prior to May 13, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, did not have their onset during his period of active service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are more likely related to post-service stressors and a personality disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and mood disorder, were found to have preexisted service. The Board determined that the Veteran did not present clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder with aggravation of bipolar disorder, and the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is remanded for additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied service connection for this condition. The claim was also denied for other acquired psychiatric disorders as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders, including TBI, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type has been rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are met and grants an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and TDIU were granted, while the claim for a compensable disability rating for PTSD prior to December 1, 2013 was denied. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.