Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia is denied, but his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than schizophrenia and PTSD (to include bipolar disorder) is granted. The bipolar disorder was found to be aggravated by the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in September 1972. Service connection is established based on continuity of symptomatology during active service.

The Board denied service connection for tremors and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include bipolar disease, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right above the knee amputation, including reopening claims for various conditions and obtaining medical records from correctional facilities. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to assess his current disability status.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the ratings and reduction questions for PTSD with bipolar disorder, TBI, migraine headaches, and mechanical lower back strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are etiologically related to his active service. The claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety, and mood disorders have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) has ordered a remand due to unclear reasoning in the previous decision and issues regarding aggravation.

The Board has decided that an additional VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, has been reopened. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders and right shoulder/arm disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder with acute manic episodes was evaluated at a 70 percent rating, but the Board found that total occupational and social impairment had not been demonstrated. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating. The left knee disability did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 20, 2013, but met the criteria for a 100 percent rating from that date until September 20, 2014. Since then, it has met the criteria for a 60 percent rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 12, 2011, and his bipolar disorder alone since August 31, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and a mood disorder on the bipolar spectrum, finding that both conditions are attributable to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and pathological gambling disorder, has been reopened. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection has also been granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, with the evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of this case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of mental health treatment provided to the Veteran in 1983 and providing a medical opinion on whether bipolar disorder is causally connected to active service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent since June 1, 2012. The Board has granted TDIU effective February 15, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as bipolar affective disorder, cannot be reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.