Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Bipolar Disorder, is related to his time in service. The VA examiner needs to provide an addendum opinion considering both DSM-5 criteria and the Veteran's history of Anti-Social Personality Disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia was granted effective October 9, 2009. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the Veteran did not file a formal or informal application within one year of discharge in November 2001.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder have been reopened due to new evidence, and both conditions are now granted as they are related to his in-service stressors.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and bipolar II disorder. The case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. However, it found no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD that meets DSM-V criteria, thus denying service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) and denied service connection for a low back disability, left arm burn scars, and right arm burn scars. The acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service stressor of a near drowning accident. The decision also acknowledges other diagnoses such as Mood Disorder NOS and Bipolar Disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding medical treatment reports and incomplete service records. The Veteran's claim for bipolar disorder will be reopened as new evidence may support it.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a spine condition, bilateral knee condition, acquired psychological disorder (including bipolar disorder), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression resulted in occupational and social deficiencies but not total impairment, warranting a 70 percent rating. The claim for an increased rating greater than 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder and hernia have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has been unemployed for years due to his psychiatric symptoms and inability to interact with others effectively.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for bipolar II disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety disorder prior to July 8, 2014, and in excess of 70 percent from July 8, 2014, were dismissed. The appeal seeking entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychological disorder, including major depressive disorder, was granted. The claims to reopen PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder were also granted.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for right ankle and wrist conditions, but has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bipolar disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete documentation in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, were caused or aggravated by his service exposure during the L.A. riots.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to decide the claims and requires further development. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, polysubstance abuse versus dependence, psychotic disorder, anxiety disorder, PTSD, MDD, bipolar disorder, substance induced psychosis/delirium, and personality disorders are remanded for additional examination and consideration of all available records.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder and depressive neurosis did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 as he was not rated totally disabled for at least ten years prior to his death.