Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder(s).

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder, are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of spinal meningitis with bipolar disorder are rated at 70 percent prior to October 27, 2011. The Board found the disability did not result in a total social and occupational impairment prior to that date.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to TDIU prior to October 27, 2011 as his service-connected residuals of spinal meningitis with bipolar disorder did not render him unemployable at any time prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, was not incurred or aggravated by service and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder but denied service connection for bipolar disorder and depression.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a TDIU application. The case will be returned to the Board if further action is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including ADHD, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The opinion concluded that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, bipolar disorder, is not etiologically related to his active duty service and therefore does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and headaches, finding that his current conditions are not related to service. The PTSD with bipolar disorder claim is granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder found to be present, as there are insufficient current evidence of record to make a decision on the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder with memory loss. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent, which meets the criteria for a TDIU as her combined disability rating (70%) exceeds the threshold of 60% required for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board found that the April and May 1988 rating decisions did not contain clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for bipolar disorder and depressive disorder, as there was no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment during service or within one year following separation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, began during service. The claim will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as workman's compensation records. The Veteran is asked to provide information about her psychiatric history and any related claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, records review, and further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and personality disorder are intertwined with his service-connected PTSD. They are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeal on the issues regarding PTSD and any acquired psychiatric condition. As a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.