Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with anxious distress and panic attacks has been granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of the decision. SMC based on housebound status is also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and therefore denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his diagnosed conditions and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of rating in excess of 30 percent for bipolar disorder and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) as there are outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's left foot disorder and bipolar disorder are remanded for further examination and medical opinions to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher rating for his PTSD with depression and bipolar disorder is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include psychiatric disorders, right hand disorder, left hand disorder, fainting disorder, stomach disorder, vertigo, sleep disorder, skin disorder, and renal cysts.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability may have contributed to his current MDD, and thus granted service connection for MDD. The issues of service connection for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and mood/anxiety disorder, has been reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding the onset of her mental health problems during active duty.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for psychiatric disability and tinnitus were reopened, and the claim for major depressive disorder with psychotic features and bipolar affective disorder was granted. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bipolar II disorder and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine are being remanded to allow for additional development.,VA is seeking to obtain relevant treatment records from community therapists and a VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran’s service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting diagnoses of PTSD and the need for updated VA treatment records. A new examination is required to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded due to the need to corroborate a reported in-service personal assault and PTSD stressor, as well as determine if any other diagnosed conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for IBS and a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar, depression, and/or anxiety is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a kidney disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, left hip and ankle disabilities, cervical spine disability, and left upper extremity disability (left arm) due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type as a freestanding claim and not related to the May 2000 decision on this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as bipolar disorder. The issue of an initial compensable rating for right hip strain prior to June 20, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is remanded.