Bipolar disorder decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further clarification regarding whether the current bipolar disorder is superimposed on a personality disorder diagnosed in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations and provide medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to comply with an earlier directive to obtain private treatment records from the University of Wisconsin Hospital psychiatry ward. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for these records, and VA will attempt to obtain them.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and examination to address eligibility for home adaptations, financial assistance, service connection for erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation, and hearing loss.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, now diagnosed as bipolar disorder, was increased to a 50% rating effective May 2, 2016.,The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of May 2, 2016 for the award of a 50% rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete personnel file and need for a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's service records do not mention his claimed assault, but there are some references to off-duty conduct issues. The examiner will assess whether PTSD is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for ratings in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder with memory loss and in excess of 40 percent for tonic clonic seizures have been dismissed. The appeal for a compensable rating for tension headaches has been remanded, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired mental disorder, including bipolar disorder, and for a compensable rating for epididymitis, left testicle, are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cataracts and hernia has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder), and left ear hearing loss have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted. The claims for right eye disorder, right knee condition, and acquired psychiatric disorders were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder with symptoms of depression and anxiety, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between her current mental health conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation of PTSD with unspecified bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse disorder was granted, resulting in a 100% evaluation effective February 5, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for various issues including service connection, effective dates, and TDIU. The hearing loss rating remains denied, as does the breathing problems claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, the in-service stressors are not sufficient to establish a traumatic event leading to PTSD, and there is insufficient evidence linking bipolar disorder to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress and bipolar disorder, first manifested during active duty service. The claim is granted, and an initial rating of 30 percent for bilateral collapsing pes planovalgus deformity prior to June 29, 2011 is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and headaches. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, drug dependency, and alcoholism, are related to in-service head trauma.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for tinnitus and TDIU due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a new psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for additional development, including verification of a reported stressor and obtaining VA examinations.