Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case is remanded to obtain additional records and provide a supplemental opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability is denied as there is no evidence of any post-service left or right ankle disability. The Board finds that the current right ankle diagnosis does not constitute a chronic disability and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred in service.,Service connection for a sleep disorder secondary to her already service-connected psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder) is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records since 2004, SSA/DHHR disability benefits records, and an addendum opinion from the July 2018 VA examiner.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been granted an increased initial rating of 70 percent, but the other issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with PTSD is being remanded due to the addition of new medical evidence and the need to review outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to a lack of recent medical examination, and requests additional VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for a new examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and/or bipolar disorder are being reviewed.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder due to new evidence, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining missing service records and scheduling a VA examination to address the diagnoses and etiology of all acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating and TDIU due to unclear evidence regarding which symptoms are caused by his service-connected MDD and which are caused by other non-service-connected psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from August 25, 2004. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board granted service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease, but remanded the claim for bipolar disorder due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, specifically his claimed schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder. The examiner is required to address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of bipolar disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to any period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The appellant's current diagnosis was not established during his ACDUTRA periods.

The claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, and has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child of the Veteran, finding that he was not permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18 years old due to his learning disability and mental health conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and service.

The Veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period. A total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and drug and alcohol abuse disorder, are not service-connected.