Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for bipolar disorder and a back disorder due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claim for bipolar disorder. The appeal regarding the back disorder was denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking the condition to service.,Service connection was also denied for bipolar disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder and PTSD are considered to be related, so her claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's seizure disorder is granted service connection and he is assigned a 70% disability rating for his generalized anxiety disorder with bipolar disorder. The initial rating prior to September 26, 2017, was granted, while the increased rating as of that date remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for dermatitis, sleep apnea, abnormal thyroid condition due to Lithium use, PTSD with bipolar disorder, thoracic spine disability, LLE and RLE radiculopathy is denied. The appeal was reopened on new evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for TBI. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his initial rating for bipolar disorder with opioid dependence is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's headaches are granted a 10 percent rating prior to August 8, 2013 and denied any higher. For the period beginning August 8, 2013, he is granted a 30 percent rating for his headaches. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a 70 percent rating prior to May 4, 2013 and a 100 percent rating from that date forward.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability (to include various mood disorders) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and development of stressor claims. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are currently under consideration.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, TDIU, and did not reopen the claim for tinnitus. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently service connected but his PTSD does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's vocational goal as a drug and alcohol counselor is not reasonably feasible due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder, alcohol-induced suicidal ideation, dementia, seizure disorder, and orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder contributed to his death in a motor vehicle crash, as evidenced by erratic behavior and lack of medication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and depression, are related to service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD, hammer toe of the left foot, and hypertension. A 10% evaluation is assigned for multiple noncompensable disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324. The effective dates for these determinations are not specified as they were not provided in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the inextricability of the CUE issue and the earlier effective date claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss evaluation, and eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete development.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depressed mood is related to his service, but the VA examiner found that his service-connected conditions did not cause or aggravate it. The Board has decided to remand for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions had their onset in service or are otherwise etiologically related to service.