Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anti-social personality disorder with secondary mood disorder, is being reviewed along with other issues related to his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's in-service experiences as a medical specialist led to his current diagnosis.

The Veteran's agoraphobia with panic disorder, MDD, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder II are found to be at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. His alcohol dependence is also found to be secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's bipolar affective disorder is rated at 50 percent prior to March 25, 2015. A TDIU has been granted effective from March 25, 2015.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's bipolar I disorder, anxiety disorder with depression, adjustment disorder, and PTSD have not resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The Board has determined that a disability rating of 50 percent is appropriate for the Veteran’s psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, and dismissed the TDIU claim due to the full grant of a 100% rating for bipolar disorder. The bilateral hearing loss issue is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including personality disorder, alcohol use disorder in early remission, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a medical opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including schizo-affective disorder. The TDIU claim is also deferred until after the service-connection issue is adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection have been remanded by the Board.,No specific effective date has been provided as the issues are currently being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder II rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder have resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new VA medical opinion due to inadequate previous examination and incomplete medical findings. The opinion is needed to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, whether it was aggravated by service, and its relationship to in-service mental health complaints.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's initial 100 percent rating for bipolar disorder is granted, and an initial 40 percent rating for DJD of the thoracic spine is also granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with polysubstance dependence has been rated at 70 percent disabling since August 1, 2014. The rating is granted for the entire period of appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD or other stress disorder, an affective disorder, psychosis, and alcohol use disorder. The decision is based on new evidence that reopened his original claim.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is granted a 70% rating from March 26, 2015 forward. A 10% rating for the appendectomy scar prior to March 26, 2015 is granted. The Veteran is also granted TDIU status from July 14, 2017 forward.

The Board has decided that more development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased evaluation for panic disorder without agoraphobia and entitlement to TDIU due to potential secondary service connection for bipolar II disorder. The cases are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's low back disability, but remanded several other issues including those related to bilateral hearing loss, right eye condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and bipolar disorder), left knee condition, right knee condition, left hip condition, bilateral foot condition, and left elbow condition.