Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The decision did not address service connection issues.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability is granted.,The Veteran's requests to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of a bilateral super rectus fader operation, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety are granted.,Service connection for bipolar disorder is granted.,An earlier effective date of December 5, 2005, but not earlier, for the award of service connection for a left ankle sprain is granted.,An earlier effective date of December 5, 2005, but not earlier, for the award of service connection for a right ankle sprain is granted.,An earlier effective date of February 22, 2012, but not earlier, for the award of an increased rating to 10 percent for status post left wrist trauma with arthroscopy with triangular fibrocartilage complex is granted.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the award of an increased rating of 10 percent for the right wrist sprain is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for hypertension is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for status post left foot trauma is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for status post left knee ACL repair and medial meniscectomy with residual degenerative arthritis is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for chronic cervical strain is denied.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and burial benefits are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current symptoms and his in-service stressor. The evidence did not support a link between the Veteran’s in-service incident and his current psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder, was denied. The Board found that the current psychiatric disorders were not caused by or related to active service. Additionally, the TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran is not service connected for any disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, left shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals, right shoulder rotator cuff disorder, and hypertension has been reopened. Service connection is granted for left shoulder rotator cuff tear residuals and denied for right shoulder rotator cuff disorder and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new examination, as well as potential retrieval of additional treatment records.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child of the Veteran, finding that he was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to age 18 and had worked after his 18th birthday.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, alternatively diagnosed as bipolar disorder, is service connected. The decision is based on a finding that the condition manifested within one year of discharge from active service and is related to his previously diagnosed schizophrenic reaction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder was granted, and the effective date is set at April 7, 1998.

The Board has referred the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD and schizophrenia to the RO for further action. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to incomplete medical records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bipolar disorder and service-connected PTSD. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a mental health professional, if necessary, to address this issue.

The Veteran's June 2016 statement expressed disagreement with the June 2016 rating decision regarding his entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The Board found that the statement constituted a valid Notice of Disagreement (NOD). However, due to the lack of development, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and personality disorder due to the need for further development of the medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorder (including ADHD, bipolar disorder, and MDD), and dental condition. The decision found that obesity is not a compensable disability, diabetes mellitus did not manifest within one year of service separation, and there was no evidence of chronic symptoms or continuous symptoms since service. Service connection for the psychiatric disorders was also denied as they were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Veteran's mental health conditions are unclear, and further examination is needed to differentiate between his PTSD and other diagnosed disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression and anxiety, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is related to his military service and has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional medical inquiry due to the presence of a second psychiatric disorder (Bipolar Disorder) and the need to differentiate its symptoms from those associated with service-connected Specific Phobia of Water.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has any current psychiatric disabilities and whether they are related to service. The claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability is also remanded.