Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been rated at 50 percent since January 11, 2011. The rating is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and her NSC pension claim has been dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was found to have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to April 11, 2013. Beginning April 11, 2013, the disability continued to cause such impairment.

The Veteran's basic eligibility for Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code has been established due to her service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent prior to January 30, 2017. Effective January 30, 2017, the rating for PTSD increased to 100 percent.,From September 3, 2010 to January 30, 2017, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder with PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 13, 2006. The rating is based on the severity of her symptoms and impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia, to include a history of depressive disorder, were rated at 50% from April 27, 2000 through February 5, 2002; increased to 70% from February 6, 2002 through October 15, 2009; and granted a 100% rating from October 15, 2009 through August 2, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity prior to May 23, 2013. Beginning May 23, 2013, the Veteran's PTSD was rated at 100 percent due to a stroke.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, primarily PTSD and bipolar disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board finds a rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. For the lumbar spine disorder, the VA examiner concluded that the condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for bipolar disorder not otherwise specified with generalized anxiety disorder prior to April 10, 2017 and TDIU have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records, National Guard treatment records, VA treatment records, and any State Mental Health Institution records. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to be related to his military service, thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at the highest schedular rating of 50 percent, and she is granted TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder, are related to her service. As a result, she is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to service, and his acquired psychiatric disorders are not shown to be causally or etiologically linked to service. The Board also found no evidence of aggravation of any pre-existing conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, major depression, bipolar disorder, acute stress disorder, and a psychotic disorder. The evidence submitted since the last final denial suggests that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran is competent to handle disbursement of VA funds due to recent improvements in his bipolar disorder and compliance with treatment.