Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, was not manifest in service or otherwise etiologically related to such service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's daughter is seeking various ratings and service connection for multiple conditions, but the appeal has been remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder. The criteria for service connection have also been met, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, Caisson's disease, diabetes mellitus secondary to Caisson's disease, or ear disorder. The diagnoses are attributed to his childhood experiences and personality structure rather than service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as any relevant psychiatric service treatment records. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus or plantar fasciitis may be related to her service-connected anterior tibialis tendonitis of the lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address deficiencies in the May 2016 VA examination report.

The Board found that the Appellant does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, that was incurred during or caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address the etiology of the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorders and considering her lay statements regarding symptoms during her first period of ACDUTRA.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, anemia, and schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and/or PTSD. However, it found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of newly received evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of in-service stressors and a new VA examination to address service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a heart condition, increased ratings for tinnitus and hearing loss, special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disability (TDIU) have been withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder prior to May 1, 2014, warranted a 50 percent rating, but not higher; from May 1, 2014 forward, it warrants a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms producing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's initial higher ratings for bipolar disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder are related to her military sexual trauma, which was found to be substantiated by evidence. The issues of increased evaluations for chronic bronchitis and cervical stenosis have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining his complete service personnel records and VA treatment records. An examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist will also be conducted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.