Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded four issues: hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder (including irritable bowel syndrome), bipolar disorder, and a disability rating for residuals of a fracture and dislocation of the right middle finger. Additional development is required to obtain information about the qualifications of the examiners who conducted the November 2012 and July 2019 VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS with alcohol dependence. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to her military service. The claim was reopened based on new evidence showing a nexus between the Veteran's in-service suicide attempt and her current mental health condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bipolar effective disorder was denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to her May 22, 2014 contact.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for benign tumor of the right occipital area with left homonymous upper quadrantanopsia was denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to her May 22, 2014 contact.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sacroiliac strain was denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to her May 22, 2014 contact.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 50 percent from September 23, 2007 to October 9, 2008. From October 9, 2008, the rating remained at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The initial rating and TDIU claims related to bipolar disorder prior to April 6, 2015 have been granted.

The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The appeals to reopen claims of service connection for a low back disability and bipolar disorder are denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 30, 1976 for the award of a 100 percent rating for bipolar disorder is dismissed as his 100 percent rating was granted in a final January 1997 rating decision and the current effective date assigned in an unappealed September 1997 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to verify a stressor and incomplete service records. The Veteran's mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, are being reviewed for possible connection to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination.