Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for loss of balance secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder. The claim for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized as bipolar disorder is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder has been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, but diagnosed him with bipolar disorder. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for his bipolar disorder, finding that it caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and/or mood. The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The Board found no basis for a higher rating and denied his claim.,Service connection was not granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, as it was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to conflicting indications in the October 2019 rating decision regarding the Veteran's service-connected disability ratings and effective dates. The AOJ is instructed to clarify these details.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder prior to October 27, 2015 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder from October 7, 2015 was also denied due to lack of evidence showing total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The Board found that new evidence submitted by the Veteran's mother was sufficient to reopen the claim, as it provided information about symptoms shortly after discharge from active duty. Service connection is also granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest schedular rating available.,The Veteran also received a TDIU based on his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including his personality disorder and bipolar disorder, is related to his service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes. Service connection for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux, erectile dysfunction (ED), and an acquired psychiatric disability to obtain additional VA treatment records and personnel records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder and polysubstance abuse. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. The TDIU claim is being remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (PTSD), alcohol abuse, drug abuse, cannabis dependency, and bipolar disorder is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including nicotine dependence, asbestos exposure, and psychiatric disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address the etiology of his diagnosed bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar affective disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas from June 2, 2016 to January 23, 2020. The VA examiner found the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms consistent with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and bipolar I disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran’s death.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include manic depressant (previously rated a bipolar disorder) now claimed as PTSD, panic attacks, insomnia. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining in-service hospitalization and psychiatric treatment records and providing a new VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions.