Citation Nr: 18152248
Decision Date: 11/21/18	Archive Date: 11/21/18

DOCKET NO. 16-51 064
DATE:	November 21, 2018
ORDER
Entitlement to service connection for a bipolar disorder with compulsive disorder is granted.
FINDING OF FACT
The Veteran’s bipolar disorder with compulsive disorder first manifested during service.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
The criteria for service connection for a bipolar disorder with compulsive disorder have been met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131 (2012); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303 (2017).
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The Veteran served on active duty from April 1974 to April 1977.
In an August 2018 brief, the Veteran’s attorney stated that the Veteran withdrew her request for a hearing on the issue of service connection for a bipolar disorder.  The Board notes that the Veteran has also perfected an appeal regarding termination of pension benefits.  The Veteran has requested a hearing with regard to this appeal and there is no documentation in the claims file indicating that the Veteran has withdrawn her hearing request with regard to this issue.  Consequently, the pension appeal is not ready for Board review at this time.
1. Entitlement to service connection for a bipolar disorder with compulsive disorder.
The Veteran contends that her bipolar disorder with compulsive disorder began while she was in service.
The Board concludes that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder with compulsive disorder that began during service.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1131, 5107(b); Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1363, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a).
The service treatment records (STRs) contain a March 1977 Report of Medical History, completed in preparation for separation from service, showing that the Veteran reported that she had experienced depression or excessive worry.
On VA examination in January 2016, the VA examiner provided a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder with compulsive behaviors.  She opined that the Veteran’s compulsions were well-documented in the her STRs.
In August 2018, a private psychologist reviewed the Veteran’s records.  He opined that the Veteran’s overeating was one of the high-risk behaviors of her bipolar disorder.  He also opined that the Veteran displayed significant symptoms of a depressive disorder and that this was more likely a part of her bipolar disorder.  The examiner noted that the Veteran’s STRs showed great weight gain and then rapid weight loss.  It was his opinion that this reflected symptoms of a bipolar disorder during service.  He opined that it was at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s bipolar disorder with compulsive behaviors manifested during her military service.  
The Board recognizes that the Veteran’s bipolar disorder with compulsive behaviors was not diagnosed until a number of years after discharge from service.  However, two psychologists have opined that the Veteran’s bipolar disorder with compulsive behaviors was manifested during service.  There is no indication in the record that the Veteran had any psychiatric disability prior to service and there are no medical opinions weighing against the Veteran’s claim.  The most probative evidence of record supports the Veteran’s claim.  Accordingly, the Board finds that the Veteran’s bipolar disorder with compulsive disorder first manifested during service and that service connection for this disorder is warranted.  All doubt has been held in the Veteran's favor.  See Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49 (1990).

 
G. A. WASIK
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	R. E. Jones, Counsel