Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his Bipolar II Disorder pre-existed active duty and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 70 percent since October 7, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period and grants an initial rating in excess of 70 percent from June 3, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been withdrawn. The Board has denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar II disorder and dysthymic disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a low back disability, and a right arm disability have been denied. The Board found that new evidence was submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but did not find a nexus between his current right arm condition and service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of hypertension and providing an SOC on issues related to effective dates and disability ratings.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for bipolar disorder and is now addressing it. The Veteran's wife provided additional evidence showing that his psychiatric disorders began within a year of separation from service, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's bipolar mood disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating from March 19, 2010 to April 5, 2012, and since June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar I disorder has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting an addendum from the September 2015 examiner to determine the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a hearing on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for most of his claimed conditions and finds no evidence to support service connection for these disorders. The only condition found by the Board with a possible link to service is dementia, but this was many years after service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, are not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bipolar disorder was denied, but he is now entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum 50% disability rating. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is reopened and new evidence supports a finding that his current psychiatric condition more likely than not began in military service.

The Board is remanding the case to schedule the Veteran for a videoconference hearing regarding his claim of reopening service connection for anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and bipolar disorder, was rated at 70 percent from June 26, 1998, to October 3, 2004. The Board also considered the issue of an effective date prior to June 26, 1998, for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with alcohol abuse is rated at 100 percent disabling, resulting in total occupational and social impairment. As a result, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing and because he still desires a hearing on his claims before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and further medical commentary on his service-connected disabilities and diabetes.