Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a link between the Veteran's current diagnosis and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty service and are related to his military experience.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depression, manic depression, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability, including whether it began during service or is related to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms are also to be considered.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The evidence received since the January 2011 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the underlying claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and bipolar disorder was denied as there is insufficient evidence to verify the claimed stressors, and no indication that his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as her bipolar disability has been rated at 100% since March 5, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Veteran's PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression have been rated at a total disability rating (100%) since September 23, 2013.,The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, verify in-service stressors, and provide a VA examination for his right foot pain and psychiatric disorders. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 19, 2012 at Chambersburg Hospital were reimbursed as the treatment was for an emergency condition related to his service-connected bipolar disorder and a side effect of propranolol.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.

The Board has ordered a remand to consider whether the Veteran's non-PTSD acquired psychiatric disorders are proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder (granted), Depressive Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, and Alcohol Induced Psychosis. The decision is mixed as some conditions were granted while others were denied.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder (previously Dysthymia with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks) is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating, as it does not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a qualified examiner to address diagnoses other than depressive disorder and antisocial personality disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying his reserve service. The claim for TDIU will be inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.