Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private mental health records, providing an addendum opinion from the September 2015 VA examiner regarding PTSD diagnosis related to in-service stressors and whether periods of AWOL are related to a psychiatric disorder, and addressing the Veteran's claims.

The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder, and Depression, which is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding Social Security Administration records and incomplete service medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be causally related to an event, injury, or disease in service.,There is no evidence of diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure that is causally related to, or aggravated by, an event, injury, or disease in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including nightmare disorder, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, psychotic disorder, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, did not have their onset during either period of active duty service. The Board also determined that these conditions were not otherwise related to either period of service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and thus, service connection for such condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder has been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective August 9, 2010. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for bipolar disorder remains pending with the RO.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and special monthly compensation, thus the issues are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar II disorder, depression) and hypertension. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C and bipolar disorder (claimed as depression) were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current conditions to service, including a lack of in-service diagnosis or exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and depression, were not incurred in or related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, other than PTSD, and sleep apnea are not related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol and drug dependence/abuse, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete medical records. The examiner should determine if the current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a temporary total rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records, verifying claimed stressors, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for an anxiety disorder NOS, PTSD, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and major depressive disorder. The effective date is not specified as the claim was reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of his psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and other mental health conditions, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete verification of claimed stressors.