Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA mental health examination and reviewing outstanding treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bipolar disorder and PTSD are related to his service, including traumatic events he experienced during basic training. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination and need for further development, including scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and mental health treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and impulse control disorder. The Veteran's new diagnosis of bipolar disorder is considered material evidence as it may be related to service.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and review the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including hyperhidrosis, sleep apnea, and bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing before the RO and will consider whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to verify his in-service stressor. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Bipolar Disorder is made worse by his service-connected sleep apnea, and thus grants secondary service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's diabetes, renal failure, diabetic retinopathy, and related complications are service connected. His bipolar disorder is also service connected as secondary to his diabetes. Service connection for prostate cancer cannot be established due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, with secondary polysubstance abuse, has resulted in significant occupational and social impairment since June 26, 2013. The symptoms include cocaine and alcohol abuse, flattened affect, impaired judgment, neglect of personal appearance and hygiene, depression, anxiety, irritability, suspiciousness, diminished interest/pleasure in activities, weight gain, fatigue, decreased concentration, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, disturbances in mood and motivation, nightmares, social isolation, difficulty establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The GAF scores have ranged from 45 to 61.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 100 percent since November 11, 2007, due to severe symptoms including suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, chronic sleep impairment, hallucinations, flashbacks, panic attacks, and an inability to establish effective relationships.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for bipolar disorder and determined that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a relationship between the Veteran's bipolar disorder and his military service. Service connection for bipolar disorder is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records. The issues of service connection will be reconsidered after these records have been obtained.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, finding that there is no competent or credible evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, and ankle disabilities have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD and initial evaluation of PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is September 5, 2006.