Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bipolar disorder, including its relationship to his military service. The Veteran needs a VA examination and potentially relevant SSA records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is rated at an initial 70 percent disability evaluation. This rating reflects significant occupational and social impairment but not total impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder due to his other than honorable conditions discharge, finding that his actions during service constituted willful and persistent misconduct.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the condition began during active service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bipolar disorder and lumbar spine disorder) preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bipolar disorder and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating or an earlier effective date is warranted. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, PTSD or bipolar disorder. The issues of service connection for chronic sinusitis, COPD, hypertension, and Crohn's disease are also remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar I disorder, is granted as service connection due to in-service stressors and subsequent behavior changes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder medication caused his obesity and, in turn, led to his obstructive sleep apnea. The case will be sent back for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and procedural issues, including a failure to appear for a hearing. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, muscle pain of the bilateral legs, and PTSD. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to verify his reported in-service events, obtain treatment records, and provide a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases for denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and alcohol abuse. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorders were aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 29, 2011 for service connection of moderate chronic lumbosacral strain and bipolar disorder are denied. The cases have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's PTSD rating remains at 70 percent, but he is granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of both conditions.,A separate effective date for the TDIU will be determined by the RO.

The Board has found the VA examination inadequate and remanded for further evaluation due to missing relevant evidence in the Veteran's records.