Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the claimed psychiatric disorders and for obtaining additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to clarify his diagnosis and obtain an adequate etiological opinion.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is as likely as not aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, and therefore she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors, thus denying service connection for PTSD and related disorders.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, psychiatric disorders, knee and hip disabilities, and asbestosis were denied. The Board found no verified stressor events related to service, no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions, and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.,There is no credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressor events occurred.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to November 22, 2013. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the disability and a 100 percent rating based on individual unemployability effective November 22, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and bipolar disorder. The new evidence does not meet the criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not considered related to his military service as there was no evidence of a nexus between in-service noise exposure and post-service hearing problems.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed psychiatric disability, and whether it is at least as likely as not that his service-connected cervical spine disability aggravated any identified psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is receiving the maximum schedular rating for residuals of status post right partial lateral meniscectomy.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability before January 24, 2007 is being remanded to the AOJ for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder has not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during any time subject to this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his current psychiatric and orthopedic conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for bipolar disorder was granted at a 100 percent effective from June 16, 2011. Prior to that date, the disability picture more nearly approximated total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for a clarification of whether any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was related to service and if so, whether it is at least as likely as not that any pre-existing condition was aggravated by service. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran experienced combat-related stressors during his deployment in Saudi Arabia and is presumed to have incurred PTSD as a result of these events.

The Board has ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained and the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a gynecological disorder are being remanded for further development.