Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran's current bipolar disorder first manifested during service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is now rated at 70 percent, effective May 16, 2014. Prior to this date, the rating was 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his acquired psychiatric disorders (depression and bipolar disorder) are not related to service. The claim is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting appropriate examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence is needed for a determination on the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder caused total occupational and social impairment from March 18, 2013. The VA assigned a 70 percent rating for this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe as to prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, paranoid type. The case is now remanded to determine if the condition was aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for cause of death and entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 due to lack of legal merit, as the Veteran was not in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation at the total disability level continuously for 10 years immediately preceding his death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than posttraumatic stress disorder, to include major depressive disorder, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified; entitlement to a higher initial disability rating for posttraumatic stress disorder; and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability are now before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examiner's opinion and for obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran is requested to provide any additional information or evidence if needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, best characterized as bipolar disorder, is found to have been incurred during his first period of active duty in the Navy from September 21, 1977, to September 21, 1981. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder. The case has been remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records from the early 1990s and to consider the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the Veteran's in-service stressors and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were evaluated at a 70 percent rating from March 23, 2011 to December 25, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and respiratory disorders did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not fully developed and requires additional development, including verification of in-service stressors, VA examinations to address psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, and chronic dyspnea, and procurement of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric and low back disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right shoulder disability due to outstanding VA treatment records, in-service psychiatric records, and further examination.