Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, now diagnosed as bipolar disorder, has been determined to warrant a 100 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Veteran was diagnosed with malingering during VA examination, and his inconsistent self-report led to the conclusion that he did not have a reliable informant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and failure to substantially comply with Board remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded to obtain additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder other than depression, and therefore cannot establish service connection for such a condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 24, 2011, reflecting significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, hypothyroidism, right heel spur syndrome, and hemorrhoids. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bipolar disorder had its onset during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, seizures, and lacerations of his fingers. The decision also noted that multiple medical diagnoses or diagnoses that differ from the claimed condition do not necessarily represent wholly separate claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service personnel records and the need for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted as the evidence supports that these conditions began in service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. The VA determined a 70 percent disability rating is warranted for the period beginning November 3, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are not etiologically related to his military service. The Veteran's current symptoms are attributed to his history of substance abuse and multiple TBIs.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder, along with the medications used to treat them, contributed substantially and materially to his underlying cause of death, which was diagnosed as dementia. Therefore, the Veteran's service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are caused by his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide an addendum opinion regarding her psychiatric conditions. The AOJ will review the claims folder to ensure all requested development has been completed.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 30 percent effective October 7, 2014. Prior to this date, the dysthymic disorder was rated at 10 percent.