Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors and the need for a VA examination to confirm any psychiatric diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU prior to August 25, 2016 due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is granted service connection. However, his claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's mental health disorders will be further evaluated, including obtaining service treatment records from his active duty and National Guard service periods.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The case is sent back to obtain additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if any of these conditions are related to military service, particularly considering the Veteran's reported MST.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 100 percent, and his back condition is granted a rating of 100 percent. The right thumb condition and left knee condition are both denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for unspecified bipolar disorder and headaches due to the need for new examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination. The claims file was updated with recent treatment records, and the Veteran was asked to provide a new VA Form 21-8940 and release of medical information.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence raising additional questions. The appellant's PTSD and bipolar disorder are being reviewed, as well as her bronchitis claim.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the current symptomatology is encompassed within the diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period (1 year of separation from service). Continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's initial rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, prior to October 29, 2018, was denied as his claim was part of a TDIU application. The Board remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's total disability rating for individual unemployability, prior to October 29, 2018, was referred to the Compensation Service Director for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further development, including obtaining missing stressor evidence and providing VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, are related to his service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, but no higher, has been granted. The claim for SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, and insomnia. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether there is additional disability resulting from a disease or injury that was superimposed upon the Veteran's personality disorder as a result of service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including mood disorder, personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and antisocial personality disorder, caused total social impairment prior to January 25, 2016. The Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for this period.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorder, bipolar I disorder with paranoia, psychosis, and depression, is related to his period of service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's multiple substance abuse disorders were aggravated by his service-connected disabilities and contributed to his death caused by mixed drug intoxication. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.