Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue regarding whether a previous denial of service connection for PTSD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The main issues are related to the conditions mentioned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bipolar disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he is currently employed and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for psychiatric disability, thyroid disorder, blood disorder, digestive disorder, cardiovascular disorder, and respiratory disorder due to incomplete file rebuilding efforts.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 24, 2017. After that date, the rating remains at 70 percent as there is no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the RO did not properly address the issue of an earlier effective date for bipolar disorder type II in the June 2018 Statement of the Case. The Veteran is entitled to a new SOC that complies with the requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 19.29.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her previously denied claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, but remanded for further development due to outstanding treatment records and insufficient medical evidence.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent effective February 9, 2009. The Board also granted a TDIU rating effective June 6, 2013.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims in October 2019.

The Board denied service connection and compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for sleep apnea, insomnia, amputation of right leg, surgical scarring, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder (claimed as panic attacks and stress), diabetes, hypertension, circulatory disorder/left big toe, and erectile dysfunction.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions throughout the pendency of his appeal.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at a 50% disability rating, and the Board has granted an additional 20% (to a total of 70%) for the entire appeal period based on his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of substantial compliance with previous development requests.

The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,The Veteran's claim for a tremor disorder has also been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and mood disorder (schizoaffective disorder), is related to his military service. The evidence shows he received treatment for mental health issues during service and continues to have symptoms since then.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA treatment records, as well as the need to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has previously remanded this claim multiple times and is now remanding again due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and their relation to service. The appeal must be remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and uncompleted VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide updated contact information so that he can be scheduled for additional medical evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and mental disorder was denied.,An effective date earlier than May 8, 2018, for a 100% rating for bipolar disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors. The AOJ must verify these stressors and schedule a VA examination to determine if they caused PTSD, as well as assess whether the Veteran's bipolar disorder and depression had their onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening of his claims. The case is remanded to allow for a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.