Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Bipolar Disorder, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service personal assaults are sufficient to meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hepatitis, but remands them due to insufficient evidence on their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders and their relationship to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service-connected bipolar disorder with schizophrenia, paranoid type features is denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date was November 28, 2012, when the Veteran filed his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and a psychotic disorder. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, has been granted due to the presumptive provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1702. His bilateral hearing loss is not rated as compensable.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including a new examination and consideration of lay statements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder and lumbar spine disorder were denied. The claim for higher rating of bipolar I disorder prior to April 6, 2015 was granted with a rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's claim for TDIU from April 6, 2015 was also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and for service-connected burial benefits due to a lack of VA medical opinion regarding the nature of the Veteran's cause of death, as well as incomplete records. The appellant is asked to provide additional information and/or evidence pertinent to these claims.

The Board denied service connection for headaches but reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder). The Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his service, and he has a current headache condition. However, there is no medical evidence linking the current headache condition directly to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is granted as new and material evidence was received. The appeal is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating and TDIU due to bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU based on his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder but denied the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder, including panic disorder and PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding the Veteran's possible history of depression and bipolar disorder. The Veteran will be provided an adequate examination in furtherance of his claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) because there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the claim itself as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2003 and does not have any medical evidence linking this diagnosis to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her previous diagnoses and their relation to service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for PTSD, bipolar I disorder, and thoracolumbar strain due to lack of prior claims filed before July 30, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and mood disorder), and a heart disorder (including coronary artery disease).