Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, headaches, COPD, hypertension, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cannabis use disorder are all denied as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness, nor is there sufficient evidence to establish their relationship to service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hand disorder is reopened, and the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and substance-related disorders) as secondary to a right hand disorder is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a psychosis and bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition did not first manifest during active service or within one year of discharge. The Board also found no nexus between the claimed in-service disease or injury and the present disability.

The Veteran's claim for bipolar disorder was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's unspecified bipolar disorder was incurred in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service sexual assault and his acquired psychiatric disorders. The VA must attempt to develop information needed to corroborate the alleged in-service assault, and schedule a new VA examination to clarify all current psychiatric diagnoses and assess their etiologies.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims to reopen service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, diabetes mellitus, lipomas, and a balance disorder are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's incarceration, and a VA examination must be scheduled in accordance with his circumstances.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is being considered on a direct basis.

The claim for service connection for PTSD is reopened, and the case of service connection for a psychiatric disorder (which includes PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence to decide the case.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during active military service.

The Board has found that remand is necessary due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including verification of in-service stressors and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder sprain was dismissed. The Board granted a TDIU effective February 11, 2008, due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 50% prior to October 31, 2016 and at 70% from that date forward. The appeal is denied for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. However, further development is needed as there are still unresolved issues regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed. His right ear hearing loss is granted, but his lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions are partially granted with restrictions. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is denied. The claim for entitlement to total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and effective date prior to July 17, 2017 was remanded due to insufficient evidence of a worsening within one year of the initial rating decision. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on her symptoms before July 17, 2017, and denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and a need for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorders.