Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety, or bipolar disorder and there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg thrombophlebitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and depression), bronchitis, Hepatitis C, and a separate right leg disability. The claim for increased rating for neck disability is also denied as a matter of law.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric condition is found to be at least in equipoise with his military service and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and PTSD, was denied as there is no established link between his current diagnoses and his in-service passive-aggressive personality diagnosis. The Board found that the Veteran did not appear for a VA examination scheduled to clarify his diagnoses and provide etiology opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The lung disorder claim is also reopened as new and material evidence was received.,Regarding hearing loss, a VA examination was conducted in March 2014 but did not consider the Veteran's exposure to loud noises during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of medical opinions regarding the onset and causation of his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further development regarding mental health care.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine her current psychiatric diagnoses and their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is a result of drug abuse during service, specifically his involvement in an assault involving illegal substances. As such, direct service connection cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA medical opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, is now before the Board again.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent since January 19, 2011. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism caused or aggravated his depressive disorder, and thus grants the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right knee disorder. The issues include evaluating bipolar disorder, service connection for a right knee disorder, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the nature of his current diagnoses and the etiology of those diagnoses. The Veteran has not provided verified in-service stressors supporting a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a nexus between his current conditions and his time in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional records, including those from a private psychiatrist.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature and etiology of any current diagnosed psychiatric disorders, with a focus on whether they are related to his active duty service or specifically to his service-connected asthma.