Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder, is granted. The effective date for the TDIU is August 16, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and reduction of disability ratings, as well as a special monthly compensation claim due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and posttraumatic stress disorders, was denied. Additionally, his claims for various right hand conditions were also denied.

The Veteran's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was found to have restricted daily activities by less than 25% prior to April 17, 2014 and resulted in periods of incapacitation of at least six weeks per year thereafter. The Bipolar Disorder claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the evidence does not support a diagnosis of any other condition beyond alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed with respect to the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder and entitlement to an effective date of May 15, 2015 for the grant of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The issue of an effective date of August 6, 2014 for the grant of a 50 percent rating for bipolar disorder is remanded.

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.