Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration and any necessary examinations or addendum opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with a history of psychosis and denied service connection for substance abuse. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms and current diagnoses, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD with schizoaffective, bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia effective September 1, 2016, as the reduction from 100% to 70% was improper due to insufficient evidence of actual sustained improvement.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD with schizoaffective, bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia effective September 1, 2016, as the reduction from 100% to 70% was improper due to insufficient evidence of actual sustained improvement.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for PTSD with schizoaffective, bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia effective September 1, 2016, as the reduction from 100% to 70% was improper due to insufficient evidence of actual sustained improvement.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the evaluation of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder have been reopened, but her claim for herpes is denied. The Board has ordered a remand for further examination to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for a back disability, deviated septum, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression), left arm tumor, right arm tumor, left knee strain, and right knee strain are all remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not having hearing loss for VA purposes. The claims for service connection of other conditions are remanded as there is insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, including MDD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder are denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD due to lack of corroborated in-service stressors. The Veteran has been diagnosed with MDD and OCD, which the Board considered as encompassing the other diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received and grants the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease. The case was remanded for further development regarding the increased rating claim and TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability status post total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent, effective from December 1, 2010. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to work due to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Bipolar I Disorder, which includes PTSD. However, the Veteran's other psychiatric symptoms are considered part of his service-connected condition and thus a separate claim for PTSD is moot.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and medical records. The Veteran is also not entitled to a rating or effective date at this time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was reopened, but his claim for bronchial asthma remains denied. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of 50 percent for bipolar disorder is dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating than 50 percent for bipolar disorder prior to June 26, 2017 is denied. The Veteran's entitlement to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Crohn's disease and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The appeal to reopen service connection for spondylosis at L5-S1 was granted. Service connection for the spine disorder is also granted. The appeals for service connection for anxiety and bipolar disorder are remanded.