Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran is currently assigned a 70 percent rating for his service connected acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD, bipolar disorder type 2 and major depression. He also has a 10 percent rating for narcolepsy without cataplexy.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is proximately due to or a result of his service-connected trigeminy, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bipolar and anxiety disorders are manifested by symptoms such as depressed mood and disturbances of motivation and mood, resulting in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The criteria for a higher evaluation have not been met.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder NOS, and mixed personality disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The case is being remanded for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD resulting from military sexual trauma, finding that there was no credible evidence of the alleged assault and ruling out a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran also had other diagnosed psychiatric conditions but these were not found to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that further development of the record is necessary to comply with VA's duty to assist the Veteran in the development of facts pertinent to his appeal for service connection for a psychological disorder, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a chronic kidney disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (Bipolar Disorder) have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have a diagnosed chronic kidney disability, and there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current psychiatric condition and events in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frostbite, left hand was granted. The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a rating increase to 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the AOJ to review additional evidence and readjudicate his claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. His service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his lumbar radiculitis of the left lower extremity is also rated at 10 percent. The appeals for hearing loss, TDIU, and RLS were withdrawn.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD were found to cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral hearing loss are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service-connection for PTSD, MDD and Anxiety Disorder due to lack of credible in-service stressors and no link between current psychiatric conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting further examinations.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling throughout the appeal period, leaving no question of law or fact to decide regarding entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for mental illness as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder dislocation, finding that there is no evidence in the record supporting a link between his current mental illnesses and his service-connected condition.

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