Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's single service-connected disability (an acquired psychiatric disorder) is rated at 100 percent, which means he is totally disabled. As a result, his claim for TDIU is moot because the schedular rating is already at its maximum.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder and for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to January 27, 2018. The Veteran was found not to meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU at any point during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the diagnoses of atypical stress disorder, anxiety disorder NOS, and bipolar disorder type I, mixed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset during service.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, finding that the Veteran's condition began during his active military service and is linked to stressors experienced there.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically schizoaffective disorder with bipolar type. The Board found a nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities and his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to evaluate the Veteran's current employment handicap and whether self-employment is the only feasible option for him given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, effective October 31, 2003. A TDIU rating and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are granted from the same effective date.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and a 70 percent rating for his service-connected mental disorders (including depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and other service-connected mental disorders) is granted effective as of May 4, 2007.

The appeal for service connection for headaches has been dismissed.,The appeals seeking earlier effective dates for tinnitus and a 70% rating for bipolar I disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder have also been dismissed.,An initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus, as well as ratings greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, and greater than 60 percent for CAD, have all been dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service, and her bipolar disorder is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.,Her migraine headaches are remanded for a new rating determination. The dry eye syndrome and back disability are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1996 rating decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thus preventing a revision or reversal on grounds of CUE.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for a left leg condition, claimed as residuals of a left femur fracture, is granted. An increased disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD with bipolar disorder is granted effective June 9, 2015.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to service-connected conditions, and his PTSD did not result in total occupational and social impairment. The Board denied the claims for accrued benefits purposes and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's claim for service connection of bipolar disorder. The case will be returned to the AOJ after this development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing treatment records. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected condition, and pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic kidney disease and acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential outstanding SSA disability records, as well as their inextricably intertwined nature.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence on whether his psychiatric condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and chronic skin condition are related to his military service. The claims will be reviewed again with a focus on determining if these conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by it.

The Veteran's mood disorder, previously rated at 50 percent, is now granted a 70 percent rating effective December 10, 2014. Additionally, the Veteran was granted service connection for lichenoid dermatitis and TDIU.,Effective December 10, 2014, the Veteran's mood disorder is rated at 70 percent.