Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD, major depressive disorder, mood disorder, bipolar II disorder, anxiety disorder, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, based on the Veteran's reported military sexual trauma during her active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of left testicle are granted effective July 2, 2010, the day following his separation from active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for mental disorders, psychosis, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to unclear opinions and need for a new examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, with the severity of his symptoms approximating a 50 percent rating. The Board found that he did not have occupational and social impairment in most areas.

The Board has decided that another examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current diagnoses and military service.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD, but denied these conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service. Service connection for alcohol use disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and other diagnoses. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder. The Board also denied service connection for schizophrenia as there was no medical evidence showing it was related to service.

The Board has determined that the character of discharge from service is a bar to VA compensation benefits, but will consider if the Appellant was insane at the time of misconduct and if his psychiatric symptoms contributed to the misconduct. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for bipolar disorder and TDIU, but the claims of service connection for OSA and knee disorders are remanded due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for right hip and right knee disabilities due to their withdrawal. The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and requests for additional records. The Veteran's daughter is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and TDIU have been dismissed as the appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather challenges the effective date of a disability rating.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective September 16, 2015. His PTSD is rated at 100% since March 30, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's bipolar disorder and obtaining all relevant treatment records. The issue of TDIU is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the rating claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from any psychiatric conditions and whether these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a rating in excess of 10 percent for his heart disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its interdependence with the other issues.