Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Meniere's disease is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of service connection for unspecified psychiatric disabilities remains on appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial rating for mechanical low back pain with degenerative disc disease and the claim for a TDIU prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a left wrist condition were denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or current diagnosis, respectively. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, and any claimed conditions are not service-connected.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with seasonal pattern is rated at 50 percent, effective March 23, 2012. The claim for a higher initial rating and TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his bipolar disorder is not related to service. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and Bipolar disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is related to his active military service. As such, the criteria for entitlement to service connection have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, OCD, and bipolar disorder, are presumed to have existed prior to service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation during service for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder. The claim for a seizure disorder was denied as there is no diagnosed disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current psychiatric disorders and military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to clarify the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his military service. The issues on appeal are now undecided due to conflicting opinions from previous VA examiners.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder as it did not manifest during or within one year after service and is unrelated to service. Service connection for bipolar disorder was also denied, as the evidence does not support a finding that the disability is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, are related to his service. The claim for hypertension is also granted as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder must also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disability claim.

The Veteran's mood disorder with depressive features, to include bipolar disorder NOS, is currently rated at 30 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and procedural issues, including a failure to provide the Veteran with necessary forms for obtaining treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered after all requested development is completed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and dysthymic disorder, was granted with an effective date of February 4, 2002.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.