Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and exposure to herbicide agents. The eye disability claim is denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the psychiatric disorder claims are denied because the reported stressor cannot be verified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including nervous condition (depressive reaction), bipolar disorder, PTSD, general anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequacy of the August 2016 VA examination and insufficient explanation regarding the Veteran's claimed mental disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is rated at 30 percent. The rating is denied as the symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to new evidence and outstanding records. The DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 appeal is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records, complete employment information, and verify the Veteran's reported stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for other trauma and stressor related disorder but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than 'other trauma and stressor related disorder'), to include bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder are at least as likely as not related to his service in Kuwait during Desert Storm and Somalia, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety, major depression, and bipolar disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims for PTSD, TDIU, and SMC have also been remanded.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is reopened. The claims for neurobehavioral effects due to exposure at Camp Lejeune and any other acquired psychiatric disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The examiner is requested to provide a new medical opinion considering all available records and the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records, VistA Imaging records, and information regarding his in-service stressors. He will also be provided with VA examinations for his lumbar spine disability, sleep disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and bipolar disorder), nasal polyps, and chronic sinus headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to insufficient information and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and right knee disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for heart disability, respiratory disease (COPD), cervical spine and thoracic spine disability, right wrist disability, and bilateral ankle disability remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing evidence, specifically a September 2013 statement from the Veteran's friend R.J. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability will be reconsidered.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of bipolar disorder with psychotic episodes due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition. The low back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability are not found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to lack of evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include bipolar disorder, is granted. The claims for service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and for a higher evaluation for meralgia paresthetica due to inadequate rationale in previous examinations and the need to verify in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete record, including a need for verification of stressor events. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than schizophrenia (including PTSD and bipolar disorder) is now before the RO for further review.