Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for PTSD was denied as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis in accordance with VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and depression) are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder; a heart disorder; and a right lower extremity disorder. The low back disorder was granted as service connected on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the submission of additional relevant evidence since the last Board decision. The case will be reviewed and potentially reopened based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD due to an in-service personal assault, is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since June 16, 2009. The Board found that the current level of disability warrants a 100 percent rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating necessary to qualify for non-service-connected pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder did not have onset during service and is not related to his period of active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include bipolar disorder, is denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause. The Board finds that substantial compliance with the August 2013 remand orders was not achieved as it relates to this issue.

The Veteran died of metastatic melanoma, which was not service-connected. The Board found that his bipolar disorder did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, mood disorder not otherwise specified, and general anxiety disorder, are less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar affective disorder has caused significant impairment in his occupational and social functioning, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the Veteran's Social Security Administration records and providing a supplemental medical opinion regarding his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are not related to his military service and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding service connection for various conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, personality disorder, and PTSD, were not related to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including service personnel records and mental health treatment records. The case will be returned for further examination if additional evidence is obtained.

The Veteran's death was caused by renal cell carcinoma, but the appellant contends that his service-connected disabilities contributed to his use of analgesic medications which may have led to his cancer. The Board finds a need for an expert medical opinion on this issue.