Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, right knee arthroplasty, and right lateral popliteal cutaneous neuropathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 11, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for macular degeneration, Parkinson’s Disease, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder are remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during his military service.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on need of aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, tobacco use disorder, and alcohol use disorder, which are associated with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and insomnia), residuals of a burn to the face, and bilateral impaired vision are all granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and cyclothymic disorders, is rated at 70 percent. The rating will remain in effect as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression disorder, and schizophrenia. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), gastrointestinal disability (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claims for low back and right hip disabilities have been remanded due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his bipolar disorder with PTSD prior to March 4, 2016 remains in appellate status. The earlier effective date claims for TDIU and Chapter 35 DEA benefits are also remanded due to their connection to the increased evaluation claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, including diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. The Veteran missed his first scheduled VA examination due to a fractured femur and an August 2019 VA examination due to inpatient treatment.

The claims for service connection of hepatitis C and posttraumatic stress disorder have been reopened, but the issues of increased ratings for left wrist fracture with strain and left elbow arthralgia, as well as TDIU, are still pending.,Additional evidence has been submitted to support reopening of the hepatitis C and PTSD claims. However, further development is needed in order to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and review of his claims, including the need for a VA mental health examination and an evaluation of his arthritis claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD due to new evidence added to the file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder with depression has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss remains pending and is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that her current psychiatric disorders are not related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is reopened, and the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the identification of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including substance abuse, congestive heart failure, seizures, mood disorder, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. The character of discharge from service is also under review.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for bipolar disorder was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bipolar disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted, and the issues of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar I Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for various conditions, including dysmenorrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, bilateral ankle disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, restless legs syndrome, HPV, infertility, gallbladder surgery, tremors and spasms to face and hands, itching, pain, and scars, and VA medical treatment.