Bipolar disorder decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, is now pending.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the cause of death (propoxyphene intoxication) is not considered to be related to VA treatment. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for propoxyphene intoxication is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The primary issue is whether there was clear and unmistakable error in an April 1963 rating decision regarding his bipolar affective disorder, and if so, what the effective date should be.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating, as it did not meet the criteria for exceptional patterns of hearing loss. For TDIU, the evidence showed he had retired due to physical reasons related to his heart condition, and his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's death in August 2010 was not related to a service-connected disability or service, and the Board finds no basis to grant service connection for any of the issues raised.

The Board has determined that the Veteran currently suffers from PTSD as a result of stressors experienced during his service in Vietnam, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for bipolar disorder or any other psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, are related to his military sexual trauma in service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder has worsened, and additional evidence is needed to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric condition, including bipolar disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion from a psychiatrist to address the relationship of her diagnosed psychiatric disorders with service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding this issue during a hearing before the Board in October 2016. Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective January 19, 2016.,The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his personality disorder is not a disease or injury for VA compensation purposes. His bipolar disorder has been rated at 70 percent since September 9, 2009, and the evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric disorders and eye disability.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 17, 1987 for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, scheduling a VA psychiatric examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is now considered.