Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Bipolar disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-V or DSM-IV criteria. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, major depression, and PTSD, are at least as likely as not related to military sexual trauma (MST) during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD and bipolar disorder. The decision is based on the need for further examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was initially rated at 30 percent prior to March 26, 2014 and increased to 70 percent thereafter. The Board found the symptoms more closely approximated reduced reliability and productivity for the period before March 26, 2014, but deficiencies in most areas from that date forward.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder and physical impairments.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to March 2, 2014, for left TMJ pain and a rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder with PTSD are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded pending additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA to obtain relevant private treatment records from identified sources.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bipolar disorder, PTSD and paranoid schizophrenia was denied. The effective date is set at August 28, 2007.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has resulted in total impairment throughout the initial rating period, and his claim for a 100% rating is granted from July 18, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, fibromyalgia, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of chronic disabilities manifested by these conditions during or recent to the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for Bipolar Disorder is granted. Claims for Personality Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Headaches, Sleep Apnea, and Hypertension are denied.

The Veteran's asthma was not related to service, as there is no evidence of a diagnosis or treatment for asthma during service and the condition resolved prior to her separation examination. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability due to an in-service injury or event.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD, as she was unable to provide details about any specific stressor events during service that would support a PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, bipolar disorder, and sleep apnea prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's other specified bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD are granted service connection. A higher rating of 70 percent is granted for PTSD. Service connection for COPD, asthma, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and right arm disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar I disorder, was granted. The claims for cyst formation on the testicles and right foot pes planus were denied. Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and hypertension are pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to link these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, to include bipolar disorder and anxiety due to inadequate medical opinions addressing secondary service connection.