Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 50 percent since August 2011, but the Board has determined that a higher 70 percent rating is warranted due to his symptoms and hospitalizations.,The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment, leading to a 70% rating prior to December 29, 2013. From December 29, 2013, the Veteran was granted a 100% rating due to two documented suicide attempts.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, substance-induced mood disorder, and personality disorder. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining STRs and a VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its May 2018 decision, including failure to obtain all available treatment records from the Marianna VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) and failure to provide adequate reasons for finding no current PTSD or bipolar disorder. The Veteran's service includes a period of active duty from September 1989 to January 1990, a period of active duty for training from May 19, 1990, to July 19, 1990, and a period of active duty from June 1992 to October 1992. The Veteran contends that he has a psychiatric disorder related to his service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder and bipolar and related disorder, based on combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms during service are at least as likely as not related to his later diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional private treatment records, as well as clarification of diagnoses.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete records, requiring a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's service and potential ACDUTRA. The Veteran is also asked to provide medical records from his incarceration period.

The Board has granted the request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The claims related to sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining all relevant medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective January 25, 1998. The Board finds that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder since January 25, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed, including consideration of any preexisting conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder, leading to its dismissal.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been granted a 100% rating, effective from the date of this decision. The appeal for TDIU was dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and denied his claims for service connection for a right hip disability, hypertension, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal condition, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder, did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bipolar disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service and granted. The Veteran does not have a current PTSD diagnosis, so the claim for PTSD is denied. Anxiety and depression secondary to dental condition are also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's bipolar affective disorder with cocaine dependence, and a new examination is needed.