Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder are granted, but his claim for TBI is denied.

The Veteran's claims for bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder, tinnitus, and PTSD with alcohol dependence have been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for tinnitus has been reopened due to new evidence received since the September 2014 rating decision. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. A 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence prior to May 1, 2018 is granted, but a higher rating is denied from that date onwards.

The Veteran's vocational goal of pursuing a business career is found to be reasonably feasible, resolving all doubts in her favor.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder condition, left ankle condition, and bipolar disorder. The claims are also being remanded due to a lack of evidence regarding service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to incomplete records and need for further clarification.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues for increased ratings for bipolar disorder, bilateral oophorectomy, Hepatitis C, and psoriasis. The Board has determined that these matters are remanded to obtain outstanding private treatment records from Dr. F.S., Dr. K.H., and the Veteran’s private primary care provider.

The Veteran's cause of death, cocaine toxicity, is considered due to his service-connected bipolar and substance abuse disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the psychiatric disorder claim, acne claim, and genital herpes claim. The issue of a timely filed VA Form 9 is deferred until these other issues are adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as bipolar disorder with cannabis and alcohol abuse and a personality disorder) due to procedural errors in the initial decision.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin disorder (manifested by knots of the underarms and tailbone), and a right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, Paranoid Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Manic Depressive Disorder is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder and bipolar type, pre-existed service and was not aggravated by it. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, is aggravated by her service-connected disabilities. The claims for increased ratings of right knee chondromalacia patella, residuals of a right knee tibial fracture, left knee patellofemoral dysfunction, and carpal tunnel syndrome are denied. Service connection for a right hip disability and lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, finding that the Veteran's symptoms during and after service are linked to his in-service psychiatric hospitalization.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD and bipolar disorder mixed with psychotic features is denied. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's conditions were 100% disabling prior to March 6, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and depressive disorder are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 11, 2014.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 70 percent since August 22, 2013. The Board found that the condition causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with major depression. The claim was reopened based on new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.