Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and angina, finding that his conditions preexisted military service and were not aggravated by it. The Board also found no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected TBI. He also seeks a higher rating for his cervical spine strain.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examination.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder is granted. The claim for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 for bipolar disorder is dismissed due to a full grant of benefits. Service connection for a cervical disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD secondary to his bipolar disorder and a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder prior to June 9, 2017 have been dismissed due to the withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of bipolar disorder and service connection for migraine headaches are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 70% effective December 31, 2012. Prior to this date, the claim for a TDIU was denied as his combined disability rating did not meet the schedular requirements. From December 31, 2012, the TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete VA treatment records and verifying his in-service stressor.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and service connection for bipolar disorder is granted as secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bipolar disorder, cervical spine disability, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy, prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as there is no current diagnosis of tinnitus and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his tinnitus is related to service.,The Veteran's chronic renal condition, characterized as chronic kidney disease stage three with left kidney stone, is remanded due to lack of an examination. The examiner must determine if it is at least as likely as not that the condition is attributable to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder) is remanded for a VA mental health examination. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that there may be evidence of more severe symptoms during the period from August 2012 to his death in March 2017. The claim for a higher rating is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for TDIU due to the appellant's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The Board finds that an examination is necessary to determine the exact nature and etiology of the appellant’s current psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, sinusitis, sleep apnea, hypertension, chest pain, a dental disorder for treatment purposes, and ear disability. The issues are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and manic depression.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are remanded to obtain VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD resulting from military sexual trauma, is remanded due to insufficient credible supporting evidence and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete development of records and inadequate statement of reasons and bases for denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are connected to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied in February 2006 and July 2010. The Board found no evidence of an informal or formal claim filed after the July 2010 denial and prior to April 26, 2012. Therefore, the effective date for the grant of service connection is April 26, 2012.