Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development to secure VA and private treatment records, as well as an advisory medical opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated following this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding his in-service stressor and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder), and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and opioid use disorder. The claim for a higher rating for acne scars was denied, but the TDIU issue is remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a bipolar disorder, and to include as secondary to service-connected migraine headaches; entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis; and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) by reason of being housebound. As such, the Board must dismiss these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. Service connection for alcohol use disorder and stimulant use disorder on a direct basis is denied.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to September 11, 2012. From September 11, 2012 to October 4, 2017, the rating was increased to 100 percent.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder were rated at 30 percent prior to April 21, 2011, and at 50 percent since then. The TDIU claim is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion regarding the relationship between her service and these disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to service or caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD disability, along with his bipolar disorder and alcohol/cannabis use disorders, has been rated at 100% effective August 1, 2016. The Board also granted TDIU beginning June 28, 2010.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to obtain service treatment records and military personnel records, including those related to a May 1973 in-patient detoxification while stationed in Korea. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder will be evaluated based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed PTSD or depression, and his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders are not shown to be causally related to service. The initial compensable evaluation for chronic daily headaches with migrainous features is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a PTSD personal assault stressor letter and another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders and hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for additional special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of care at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (r)(1) or (r)(2) is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such an increase in SMC.