Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Board granted an 80% evaluation for the Veteran's seizure disorder on and after December 8, 2016. The decision also denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to military sexual trauma or secondary to his service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar affective disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that his diagnosed bipolar affective disorder is at least as likely as not incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants were denied as she does not meet the criteria for eligibility based on her service-connected disabilities.

The claim to reopen service connection for bipolar disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for ulcer, chronic bronchitis, COPD, sinusitis, OSA, and GERD are denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is not service-connected, but has ordered a new VA examination to determine if it was caused or aggravated by his head injury during service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, the highest available for this condition. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to her service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, depression and bipolar disorder is remanded due to inadequate VA examination. Further development is required.

The claim for service connection for PTSD remains denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar disc disease remains at a 40% rating. Service connection for psychiatric disorders, left and right arm numbness are remanded due to inadequate examination standards.

The Veteran's daughter, A.S., is seeking recognition as her helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18. The Board has ordered a remand for further evaluation by VA medical personnel to determine if A.S.'s mental and/or physical disabilities caused her to become permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from 1978 and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis had its onset in service and is etiologically related to service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric condition, including as secondary to sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including unspecified bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, are related to his time in active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and a behavioral and/or cognitive condition, are being evaluated.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) was granted. The decision found that the Veteran has a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitated selection of self-employment as the only reasonably feasible vocational goal.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its March 2019 remand directives and therefore the case is being returned to provide an addendum VA medical opinion from the July 2016 examiner or another suitable clinician.