Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inconsistencies in previous decisions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, particularly concerning his low back disability and its relationship to an in-service slip-and-fall incident.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected specific phobia of water. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that there was clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing bipolar disorder that did not worsen during active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying the Veteran's stressors and obtaining a medical opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression, is remanded due to the need for further examination and review of VA medical records.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been granted a 100% disability rating since July 20, 2015. The evidence shows significant impairment in occupational and social functioning.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder NOS, finding that there is a balance of evidence indicating it had its onset during active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran’s current symptoms do not meet the criteria for service connection as her conditions are not currently diagnosed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, open angle glaucoma, and a bilateral leg disorder have been remanded due to incomplete examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder, and the Board has remanded to clarify which prior procedural document he believes contains clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically addressing whether it is at least likely as not related to his Reserve and National Guard service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide more details about his in-service stressors, and VA will attempt to verify these incidents.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits, specifically his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment and whether his disabilities render him permanently and totally disabled.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchitis was denied, but his claim for bipolar disorder (now claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder) was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, prostate disorder (including residuals of prostate cancer and residuals of prostate surgery), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and an anxiety disorder) due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to October 22, 2018. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.