Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's psychiatric disability diagnoses and a new examination to address the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder has been granted, with the condition having onset during his active duty service.,The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, schizophrenia, and depression, was not incurred or aggravated during his military service or within one year of a period of active service. The evidence does not support a finding that it is related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and needs further development before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar-type psychotic disorder, is related to his military service. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Migraine Headaches, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he cannot secure and follow such an occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and vertigo. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is pending due to the need for further VA examination.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD due to military sexual trauma, bipolar disorder, and currently experiences symptoms of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety and panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, social anxiety, delusions, paranoia, and bipolar disorder, are related to service. However, there is no evidence of current residuals from a head injury incurred in service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 70 percent since November 16, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with PTSD was productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from March 7, 2012 to March 4, 2013. The Veteran's lumbar strain with a history of herniated disc did not result in significant disability. The Veteran's cervical strain did not meet the criteria for an increased rating. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was productive of mild incomplete paralysis throughout the appeal period. The Veteran's GERD has resulted in persistent symptoms but without severe impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to secure VA and private treatment records, as well as an advisory medical opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated following this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his in-service stressor and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder), and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and opioid use disorder. The claim for a higher rating for acne scars was denied, but the TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a bipolar disorder, and to include as secondary to service-connected migraine headaches; entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis; and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) by reason of being housebound. As such, the Board must dismiss these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. Service connection for alcohol use disorder and stimulant use disorder on a direct basis is denied.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to September 11, 2012. From September 11, 2012 to October 4, 2017, the rating was increased to 100 percent.