Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and ADHD, is not related to his active service. The evidence does not clearly establish a preexisting condition or show aggravation of a preexisting condition during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder are found to have contributed substantially or materially to his drug overdose death, warranting service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, now diagnosed as bipolar disorder, has caused occupational and social impairment in most areas, warranting a 70 percent evaluation from November 26, 2007.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's pending claim to include an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and clarification of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining pre-service medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal is also remanded to provide an SOC on the issue of nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's depressive disorder is attributable to service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders present during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, PTSD, and phobic disorder with anxiety are rated at 100 percent since April 14, 2007. He is also in receipt of a 100 percent rating for his service-connected psychiatric disabilities prior to June 14, 2012.

The Veteran currently has a psychiatric disability that is shown by competent lay and medical evidence to be causally related to his military service, thus warranting service connection.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 70 percent for the period prior to January 9, 2015. He also has a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.,PTSD was withdrawn from appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD based on MST, depression, mood disorder, and bipolar disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar II disorder, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and aggravation of this condition due to stressors during military service. Service connection for a back disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis or link to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with manic depression, is granted as his symptoms were incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is not related to service, and his cervical spine and left knee disorders are not related to service.,Service connection was denied for all three issues.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD, had its onset during her active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have PTSD and denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, thyroid cancer, hypothyroidism, and vocal cord dysfunction. The conditions are deemed to be unrelated to active duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar and anxiety disorder and claimed as anxiety and PTSD, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's index finger of left hand, diagnosed as trigger finger, may be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities has not been found.