Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, a dental disability due to trauma, and a low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that would warrant service connection.

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

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened and service connection is granted. His bilateral chilblains of the feet claim was also reopened, but no effective date or rating assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a supplemental clinical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge in Washington, DC.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disabilities, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating. His Bipolar Disorder issues have also been considered.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of all current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim is pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher initial rating for PTSD and a TDIU have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of active psychosis (claimed as schizophrenia paranoid type, nervous condition, and bipolar disorder). The Veteran's preexisting mental condition was aggravated by his military service.