Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated as 100% disabling, but he does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and assistance or being housebound due to his disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is related to military service. His right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's initial rating for bipolar disorder is granted at a 70 percent level prior to November 27, 2017. A higher rating of over 70 percent is denied after that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to incomplete development and lack of proper notification.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder and anxiety, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and hypertension, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The effective date for service connection of these conditions has been set to April 6, 2009. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an adequate VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder and low back disability.

The Veteran's bipolar II disorder with PTSD is rated at 50 percent since July 24, 2013. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating effective from that date due to gross impairment in thought processes or communication and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder was dismissed. The claim for reopening of cervical spine disability was granted, but only to the extent that it is secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disability had its onset in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral leg disability (to include arthritis) is remanded as the nature and etiology of this condition must be determined.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD and bipolar) is remanded as new evidence has been submitted that may support his claim on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded as the nature and etiology of this condition must be determined.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depressive disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are now remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints and bilateral knee disability have also been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for his psychiatric disorder was denied, with a final rating of 70 percent since March 30, 2015.,TDIU for the period prior to March 30, 2015 was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not manifest during active service and were not causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted for tinnitus, and the issues of service connection for arthritis, asthma, high cholesterol, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diverticulitis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have also been granted. The claims for hearing loss and bilateral hands/low back arthritis are still pending.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for a compensable disability rating.,Prior to June 18, 2013; from February 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015; and from July 1, 2015, onward, the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with alcohol and drug abuse.,From June 1, 2015 through June 24, 2015, a temporary total rating due to hospitalization for bipolar disorder with alcohol and drug abuse is warranted.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of mood disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board found that discontinuance of VR&E services based on a negative feasibility determination was proper due to the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder with psychotic features significantly contributing to her inability to complete her education and maintain employment.