Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating and TDIU was dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and Bipolar II disorder.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on evidence of current disability, in-service noise exposure, and a nexus to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, but has remanded it due to the need for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and an earlier effective date for bipolar disorder are being remanded due to the inclusion of recent VA treatment records in the claims file. Additionally, a new VA examination is needed as the last one was conducted over four years ago.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability and remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, as well as entitlement to TDIU. The appeal is mixed due to some issues being granted while others are not.

The Veteran's son, M.J., is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine if he was permanently incapable of self-support as of his 18th birthday due to a mental or physical disability.

The Veteran's use of Menthol/M Salicylate topical cream for arthritis pain is not eligible for a clothing allowance as it was not prescribed for a skin condition due to any service-connected disability.,The Veteran’s back brace, which she uses for her service-connected DDD of the low back, does not qualify for a clothing allowance because it is made of soft material and does not cause wear or tear on clothing.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder was rated at 50% disabling from July 27, 2010. The Board denied a higher rating for PTSD and granted TDIU prior to June 24, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder have been dismissed due to the death of the Appellant.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as service connected due to a link with his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for bipolar disorder and cognitive disorder - memory loss are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, mood disorder, and bipolar disorder, with service. The VA must provide an addendum opinion addressing whether these conditions are related to PTSD or aggravated by it.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence of a psychiatric disability during or within one year after service and insufficient competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for borderline personality disorder has been reopened, but the claim remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder was previously denied and no new evidence has been received to reopen this claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for histrionic personality disorder, PTSD due to military sexual trauma, bipolar disorder, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for other specified anxiety disorder with symptoms of depression. The AOJ is instructed to request private treatment records from TCN in Xenia, develop a claim for TDIU, issue a statement of the case regarding the earlier effective date for service connection, and readjudicate the issues considering all evidence added since the June 2018 statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for her service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, it denied the claim as there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current psychiatric disorders and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a TDIU claim. The Board finds the severity of his bipolar disorder does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between her current bipolar disorder and any in-service event or injury.

Service connection for a low back condition is denied.,A 10% rating for migraines is granted from July 31, 2013 to August 8, 2018. A rating in excess of 30% for migraines after that date is denied.