Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, has been found to be aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. His loss of memory is considered a symptom of this psychiatric disability. The liver condition is not related to medications for his service-connected disability. Right upper extremity radiculopathy is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, as new and material evidence has been received. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed seizures and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran was diagnosed with reactive disorder in service and later developed symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder, diagnosed as a psychiatric disability, is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, has been granted. His rating for chronic bronchitis and asthma remains pending.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for an increased evaluation of bipolar disorder, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted a 70 percent initial rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (primarily PTSD and bipolar disorder) effective October 26, 2016. The decision also grants TDIU for the period between October 1, 2011, and October 25, 2016.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD effective March 3, 2008 and has also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including manic depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, are found to be etiologically related to service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, were not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, are not related to service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and neuroleptic-induced Parkinsonism have been granted. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a fracture of the right hand are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. However, there is no diagnosis of PTSD in the record, so service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's in-service stressor is corroborated and there is medical evidence linking his current symptoms to this stressor. Service connection was denied for bilateral flat feet.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the Veteran's second period of service began in February 1990 or February 1991, and whether his acquired psychiatric condition was aggravated by that service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated as 50 percent disabling. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted, and the Veteran is also entitled to TDIU based on his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder are related to her service. The Board finds that the evidence is in a state of relative equipoise on all material elements of the claim, including the nexus requirement.