Bipolar disorder decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with compulsive disorder was first diagnosed during service and the Board finds that it began during this time, granting her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's panic disorder with bipolar disorder has been granted a 100% schedular rating, and his entitlement to TDIU is dismissed. The issue of service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury due to service-connected mental disorders is remanded.

The Board has remanded both claims for increased rating of bipolar disorder and TDIU due to bipolar disorder. The Veteran needs to provide updated evidence, including VA and private treatment records, and a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The effective date of her sinusitis claim is January 23, 2012.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various psychiatric disorders and other conditions. The main reasons are that VA examiners have not provided sufficient opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The claim will be further evaluated after additional development and examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a 'helpless child' of his father due to insufficient evidence showing he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to reaching age 18.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and depression, is related to his active service. However, due to conflicting evidence regarding the existence of a pre-existing condition, further medical opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder and borderline intellectual functioning, as well as the propriety of reducing his rating from 100 to 50 percent. The issues are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, as the July 1978 incident was determined to be a result of the Veteran's own misconduct.

The Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to the appellant's 18th birthday, and her work history indicates she was capable of supporting herself before age 18.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder was granted. His petition to reopen his PTSD claim was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, bipolar disorder, and denied service connection for headaches, bilateral hip conditions, and diabetes. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine remains at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder. The decision requires a VA examination and review of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder is denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis or residuals of fractured shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a concussion or fracture of the skull causing mental instability with memory loss or bipolar disorder and resulting in an aneurysm, headaches, and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD) due to additional evidence being needed.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 3, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the 70 percent rating for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and for TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bipolar disorder and ADHD due to insufficient clarification from the VA examiner regarding whether these conditions preexisted his military service or were aggravated by it.