Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that there was no evidence showing that any service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death. The Veteran's cause of death was listed as massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to esophageal and gastric varices, and hepatitic C cirrhosis with portal hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, MDD, and bipolar disorder are remanded due to the need to corroborate his in-service stressors. The claim for service connection of OSA as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder is held in abeyance pending development.

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia and denied service connection for other acquired psychiatric disorders. The TDIU claim is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an effective date prior to November 20, 2012 and a TDIU prior to that date.,These issues are being remanded due to the timeliness of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) submitted by the Veteran’s representative.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. Service connection was denied for neck pain and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part. Service connection has been established for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as cervical spondylosis and stenosis), lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, peripheral vestibular disorder, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, headache condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection has been reopened for alcoholism and drug abuse. Other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his non-service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new examination to clarify diagnoses and determine if any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities and his time in service. A VA examination is needed to determine if any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and major depression, due to insufficient evidence regarding his pre-service mental health history and potential service connection.

The Veteran is not competent to handle his VA funds and the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings was denied, with the exception of a grant of a 50% evaluation for migraine headaches effective from August 9, 2017. The remaining conditions were not granted higher evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to a psychiatric disorder and/or tinnitus. The decision also grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (sleep apnea). However, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as the weight of evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, which includes bipolar disorder and depressive disorder. The Board found that these conditions are etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a seizure disability has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant (substitute). The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal at this time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle arthritis (gout), left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral eye disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision was based on a lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding insufficient evidence to link his current mental health conditions to his time in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, major depression, and bipolar disorder, may be related to service. However, a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and inadequate examination, requiring a new VA psychiatric examination.