Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 90%, meeting the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bipolar disorder is granted, and he is currently rated at 30 percent from January 20, 2011. For coronary artery disease, the Veteran is granted an initial evaluation of 100 percent effective February 17, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and updating VA treatment records. The Veteran is also required to complete a VA Form 21-0781a (Statement in Support of Claim for PTSD Secondary to Personal Assault).

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was no link between his current symptoms and an in-service stressor. The diagnosis of PTSD is based on a history provided by the Veteran during service, which has varied over time.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection claims related to his acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. His cervical spine and right thumb disabilities were evaluated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to further consider these matters.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bipolar disorder as separate from his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder has been denied. His claim for an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder is also denied, as the evidence does not support a finding that his current disability level warrants a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar affective disorder type I and alcohol abuse. The Board also finds that service connection is warranted for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health records and scheduling a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include adjustment disorder with anxious and depressed mood and bipolar disorder with rapid cycling, that had its onset during service or is otherwise related to his military service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, are related to his service. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's ED is found to be secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder was granted effective September 23, 2008. However, an earlier effective date of September 23, 2008 is denied as the Veteran's TDIU claim was not yet established at that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran qualifies for VR&E self-employment services based on his most severe service-connected disability and requires such services. The case is now remanded to review the merits of the proposed self-employment plan.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to the Veteran failing to report to a scheduled VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board is remanding the case for further development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The AOJ will verify the alleged stressor event and conduct a comprehensive examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric opinion regarding the appellant's mental health during service and whether he was insane at the time of his discharge. The case will be returned to the AOJ after these actions are completed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder), but finds that further development is needed before these claims can be decided on their merits.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder before the Board could make a decision.