Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his bipolar disorder is remanded due to the need for a more recent examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, but the Veteran's appeal is dismissed because there are no longer any unresolved issues regarding this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar I disorder and depression. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for further development and examination, including obtaining evidence of an in-service personal assault and determining the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted the readjudication of the claim for service connection for arthritis of the left knee due to new and relevant evidence. The claims for dysthymic disorder, bipolar disorder, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and hemorrhoids remain pending as they were not successfully reopened.

The Veteran's retroactive CRSC payments are remanded due to a lack of information regarding any payments and withholdings made by VA prior to April 1, 2018.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective prior to September 18, 2019. The Board granted this initial rating based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his ability to function in work and social settings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the VA to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit information regarding his employment history during the period of January 29, 2010, to March 5, 2019.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety, is denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder first manifested during his period of initial active duty training, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified personality disorder and/or borderline personality disorder is denied, while her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a right-hand disability and is now remanding the case to consider whether direct service connection can be established for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and substance-related disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses of personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders are not service-connected due to their nature as congenital defects.

The Veteran's claim for hammer toe has been denied as she does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST and related conditions, and psychosis or mental illness for treatment purposes are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is granted, and her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder due to new evidence received after notification of the July 2016 rating decision. However, both conditions were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD conforming to DSM criteria and no link between bipolar disorder and in-service events.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar I disorder with alcohol use disorder was granted effective November 6, 2012. The decision does not specify any earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizophrenia disorder and bipolar type, was incurred during his period of active service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether this condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar II disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran timely filed a substantive appeal regarding his claims for service connection and increased ratings, thus reinstating the underlying appeals.