Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder was granted, and she is now entitled to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional private records, as well as an updated opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a vision disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The decision also notes that additional records from the Veteran’s active service as well as his Army National Guard or Reserves service should be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cannabis use disorder claimed as depression, agoraphobia, and bipolar disorder due to lack of a current diagnosis of any psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination, requiring a new VA examination for the Veteran's psychiatric disability claims.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, depression, and polysubstance abuse caused total social and occupational impairment for the entire period on appeal. An initial 100 percent rating is granted effective from April 16, 1996.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and TBI.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and major depressive disorder has been granted, as well as claims for residuals of a laceration to the face above the left eye, upper body disorders including a left shoulder disorder, and tinnitus. The appeals were reopened due to new evidence submitted since previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and their relation to service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service, including whether they preexisted service.

The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected bipolar disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (post-laminectomy L5-S1), and right lower extremity neuralgia from February 14, 2012 to November 19, 2012.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of bipolar disorder, depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder was granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability from May 31, 2013 through September 5, 2017 is granted.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, so the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 100 percent since May 2012, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for VA special mode transportation benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and clarification of local guidelines. The Veteran needs a VHA clinician examination to determine if he requires a special mode of transportation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and an initial rating of 70 percent for bipolar disorder prior to February 17, 2017. The Veteran also receives a TDIU determination prior to that date. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine strain remains pending.

The Veteran's death was caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but this condition is not service-connected. The Board found that the cause of death was not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, and he is now receiving a 100% disability rating for bipolar affective disorder since May 23, 2011. The appeal of the original PTSD claim has been dismissed.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and MDD, are found to have started during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the low back disability, and because a decision on one could significantly impact the other.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bipolar I disorder, CAD associated with herbicide exposure, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his service-connected disabilities.