Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA opinion to address whether any current psychiatric diagnosis represents the present manifestation of a preexisting condition, or if it is related to service. The Veteran's obesity and hyperlipidemia are not disabilities for which VA compensation may be granted.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The case is remanded for an examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, infectious disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches as secondary to infectious disease or bipolar disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and missing service treatment records. The Veteran's current diagnoses will be evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist, an infectious disease specialist, and a right shoulder examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's September 2014 VA examination was inadequate and a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion addressing his hospitalizations in March 2014. The AOJ did not comply with the Board’s remand directives, so a new VA psychiatric examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions are etiologically related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and further development of the Veteran's reported in-service stressors. The claim will be adjudicated based on all reasonably related acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The claim will be reviewed again with a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD, has been reopened. However, the Board denied the claim as there is no probative medical nexus between active service and the current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and incomplete verification of claimed stressors. The Veteran will need a new VA examination for his diagnosed conditions, and any outstanding treatment records must be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and throat cancer, as well as a disability rating for left knee disability and TDIU prior to August 25, 2016. Additional evidence is needed from the Veteran.

The Veteran's xerostomia (unusually dry mouth) is granted as secondary to her service-connected bipolar disorder. The Veteran also has a TDIU granted due to her service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has found that the Veteran was not given a sufficient opportunity to attend the scheduled examination for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The matter is therefore being remanded to reschedule the Veteran for an examination to evaluate the etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous condition was reopened, and the appeal is granted. The case of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as schizoaffective disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and PTSD is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are not fully developed, requiring additional examinations and opinions to determine the current severity of his hip and thigh disabilities, as well as the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the May 2011 rating decision contained clear and unmistakable error in failing to consider a broader claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including diagnoses of bipolar disorder, MDD with psychotic features, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's claims are now granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of the claimed psychiatric disability, right wrist disability, left knee arthritis, and GERD with gastropathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board has also determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the Veteran's service connection claims.,The Veteran is being asked to provide more information regarding his in-service injuries, as well as any private treatment records from P.L., LCSW, and Dr. T.O.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, due to insufficient evidence of a diagnosis in service.