Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder), and tinnitus due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a verifiable stressor and insufficient continuity of care to support a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss is dismissed. His petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted, and the claim is granted. The Veteran’s petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied. The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including rescheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, major depressive disorder with symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, bipolar disorder, ADHD), back disorders (including arthritis), left knee disorders (including arthritis), right knee disorders (including arthritis), migraines, and tinnitus have all been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a seizure disorder, and a bilateral hip disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any psychiatric disorders found to be present.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder are granted as service-connected.,PTSD is denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded the claims for a lower back disability and liver disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining records of in-service treatment for a left knee injury and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is also being remanded to determine if his symptoms are related to verified stressors during service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and CAD have been granted service connection as due to herbicide exposure. The claims for gout, acquired psychiatric disability (including bipolar disorder), pulmonary condition, residuals of breast cancer, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and a new VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The issues on appeal are whether service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) should be granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU is being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for DDD of the low back, service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected back disorder, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and bipolar disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in notifying the Veteran of alternative evidence for her personal assault/military sexual trauma stressor and failure to obtain an adequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder due to potential issues with obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and bipolar depression, due to inadequate VCAA notice and an insufficient VA examination. The Veteran is asked to provide any relevant private treatment records and his opinion on the nature of his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of the reduction of his disability rating for bipolar disorder from 70 percent to 10 percent has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various psychiatric, left leg, and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and unverified in-service stressors, as well as the need for a VA examination.