Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, and alcohol/drug abuse disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and the schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type has not been shown to be etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's stepdaughter, A.S., was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support this claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, were not incurred during or as a result of military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's depressive symptoms experienced 5 months post-service were the onset of his current unspecified bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 30 percent since May 13, 2011. The Board found that the symptoms present in April 2008 warranted a rating of 70 percent prior to May 13, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, did not have their onset during his period of active service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are more likely related to post-service stressors and a personality disorder.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and mood disorder, were found to have preexisted service. The Board determined that the Veteran did not present clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder with aggravation of bipolar disorder, and the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability is remanded for additional development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD and thus denied service connection for this condition. The claim was also denied for other acquired psychiatric disorders as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders, including TBI, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. The claims are currently pending.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type has been rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are met and grants an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and TDIU were granted, while the claim for a compensable disability rating for PTSD prior to December 1, 2013 was denied. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder (previously psychotic disorder) was manifested by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to February 6, 2009. The criteria for a 30 percent evaluation have been met.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD related to an in-service stressor and his acquired psychiatric disorders are not service-connected. The claim for increased rating for residuals of fourth and fifth finger fracture is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include bipolar affective disorder, due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder. The VA examiner will provide an addendum opinion addressing whether any prior diagnoses were erroneous or in remission, and if so, whether they are related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder can be decided.