Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder is granted. The issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand nerve damage was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and hypertension are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection and TDIU are moot.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied in April 2008 due to lack of evidence. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at May 18, 2010.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is sufficiently shown to be related to his active duty service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depression with psychotic features. The Veteran's current diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder due to new evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and mood disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder, but the Veteran's claim remains denied as there is no evidence showing a nexus between her current diagnosis and active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection. The initial compensable rating for a compression fracture at L1-L2 was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have PTSD or a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus denies her claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated as 30 percent disabling prior to July 6, 2015. The Board has determined that the evidence supports a rating of 50 percent for the entire appeal period prior to July 6, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating to reflect his current level of disability. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of psychiatric disorders other than PTSD and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for Bipolar Disorder, finding that it was incurred in service. However, the claim of service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression is denied as there is no link between the current symptoms and an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, bipolar disorder, is related to service and granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, hypertension, left leg disability, sleep apnea, and headaches are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the rationale provided in previous decisions and conflicting diagnoses of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected due to a lack of medical nexus between his current condition and his period of active duty.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to personal trauma experienced during service.