Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depressive disorder. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on whether there is evidence of a superimposed acquired psychiatric condition resulting from the Veteran's personality disorder.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including passive aggressive personality disorder, depression, substance related disorder and bipolar disorder. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a need for a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability remains open.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for an increased rating for a low back disability is dismissed.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted.,The issue of service connection for type two diabetes mellitus and the acquired psychiatric condition (previously claimed as bipolar disorder, depression, and cyclothymic disorder) is remanded for additional development.,The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The appeal of the issue of service connection for migraine headaches is dismissed. The claim to reopen a psychiatric disorder, including schizoid and bipolar disorders, is also dismissed as new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a heart disorder are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The current disability level does not meet the criteria for a 70% or higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding his left toe disability. The claims for increased ratings on right knee disabilities remain pending.

The Board has denied reopening the claims for PTSD and a psychiatric condition, to include schizoaffective disorder, bipolar subtype due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim is remanded for an additional VA examination related to his right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying an in-service stressor involving a fire aboard the USS Fidelity (MSO443), and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with psychosis and bipolar disorder caused total occupational and social impairment, leading to a 100 percent initial rating since December 23, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the presence of other psychiatric disorders and their relationship to PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for bipolar disorder is granted at a 70 percent level, effective June 11, 2003. The effective date of service connection for bipolar disorder is set to June 11, 2003. A TDIU award is also granted effective from the same date.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and review.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided are inadequate for adjudication purposes and this claim must be remanded in order to afford the Veteran another VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar I disorder with unspecified trauma and stress-related disorder rendered her unable to engage in substantially gainful employment since November 6, 2017. Prior to that date, the disabilities did not render her unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, NOS (also evaluated as depressive disorder and bipolar disorder) is rated at 100 percent since December 5, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder with depression, effective November 15, 1984. The Veteran's current condition is considered to have started during his active military service.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder is reopened. Service connection for a respiratory condition and hypertension are denied. An initial disability rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses and need for further clarification regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and bipolar disorder.