Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of his delimiting date for Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits beyond August 28, 2009 due to a lack of medical evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities actually prevented him from pursuing his desired educational program.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, arthritis, osteoporosis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to active duty or ACDUTRA service. The eye disability claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's rating for bipolar disorder was reduced from 100% to 50%, effective December 1, 2018. The Board has now restored the 100% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records. The issues include stimulant use disorder, alcohol use disorder, bipolar disorder, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and a right knee disability have been reopened. The appeal of these issues is granted.,Service connection has also been granted for a chronic headache disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral shin splints, hypertension, and pes planus were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,A rating in excess of 10% for degenerative joint disease of the sacroiliac joints was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected PTSD is remanded as the VA examination conducted in July 2016 did not provide sufficient information about her current symptoms and functional impairment. The Veteran needs to have updated VA Form 21-8940 completed, and a new VA examination for PTSD should be scheduled.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and remanded to obtain verification of stressors, conduct a VA examination, and determine if any other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate due to her service-connected psychiatric disability.,She does not require regular aid and attendance of another person as a result of her service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to bipolar disorder, finding that it is not at least as likely as not that his service-connected bipolar disorder renders him incapable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and medical records from various providers.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment is denied because he does not meet any of the criteria listed under 38 C.F.R. § 3.808.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as it was incurred during service.,Service connection for Bipolar disorder is denied because the condition did not start in service and is not linked to any other conditions.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 30 percent since March 25, 2004. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sleep impairment being within the scope of the current 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depression and bipolar disorder is remanded. Other claims are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, but dismissed the claims for diabetes mellitus and psoriasis.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and development of stressor evidence. The Veteran's statements, including his testimony at a Travel Board hearing, suggest that his current psychiatric conditions may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 100 percent, effective November 19, 2007. The appeal for a TDIU is dismissed as the Veteran's sole service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar I disorder due to new evidence received after the VA examinations.