Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, are related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's initial schedular rating for bipolar disorder remains at 70 percent, and the Board has remanded the case to consider his TDIU claim. The appeal of the initial rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD in a September 2019 rating decision, and the issue is now dismissed as there are no remaining determinations to consider.

The Veteran's unspecified bipolar disorder and headache condition are granted service connection, but the initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, was granted. Service connection for bilateral cataracts and glaucoma due to diabetes mellitus was also granted.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder prior to April 11, 2013, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder due to incomplete development regarding stressors and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder has been reopened and granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, high cholesterol, tinnitus, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder), and sleep disorder are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased rating for obstructive sleep apnea, and increased ratings for his neck and back disabilities. The issues include determining whether there is a link between the Veteran's military service and any diagnosed conditions, as well as assessing the severity of his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted service connection, but his claims for an acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for PTSD and bipolar disorder/personality disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and to obtain records related to the Veteran's participation in vocational rehabilitation programs. The claims of service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with prior remand directives and the Veteran's inability to receive a VA examination. The examiner is requested to determine if any of the claimed psychiatric disorders are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss are remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.,The Veteran's heart disability claim is remanded as there is no VA examination or etiological opinion addressing the issue.,The Veteran's solitary pulmonary nodule (lung condition) claim is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the presumption of soundness and aggravation.,The Veteran's service connection for his claimed lung condition is remanded.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to May 11, 2016. From May 11, 2016, the rating increased to 100 percent.,From June 17, 2011 to May 10, 2016, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on her bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST), is remanded as there are conflicting diagnoses and the in-service stressor needs further corroboration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression. The decision found that there was no evidence of in-service psychiatric symptoms or diagnoses, and that current psychiatric disorders were not related to any in-service stressful events.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's active service is linked to his condition based on evidence of symptoms and a diagnosis provided by VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, OSA, and TDIU due to conflicting medical opinions and incomplete examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide VA Form 21-4142 for all non-VA medical providers seen for mental health disorders and sleep apnea. A new VA examination must be conducted to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorder, including whether it had its onset during active service or is related to in-service stressors, and if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.