Bipolar disorder decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD, has been granted. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiology opinions for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. The case will be returned after further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including paranoid schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of in-service onset or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar I disorder and PTSD) are remanded due to inadequate opinions in the July 2019 VA examination report and August 2019 VA mental health examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The appeal for sleep apnea is dismissed. A 70% disability rating for PTSD is granted, effective July 2019. TDIU prior to July 15, 2017 is remanded. Appeals for other conditions are also remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to various mental health conditions, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and paresthesia of skin. The remand requires additional development such as obtaining updated VA and/or private treatment records, requesting SSA disability benefits records, scheduling a VA examination for the etiology of psychiatric disorders, and scheduling another VA examination to determine the etiology of the claimed chronic fatigue and myofascial pain disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional development being required. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, for the entire appeal period (excluding a temporary total evaluation from September 30, 2016 to December 31, 2016). The TDIU claim based on PTSD was denied. SMC at housebound rate was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been dismissed.

A 100 percent disability rating for bipolar disorder is granted, effective April 24, 2015.,An earlier effective date of September 22, 2013, for the grant of a 30 percent disability rating for HIV infection residuals is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and related symptoms, including depression and suicidal/homicidal ideation, did not warrant an initial evaluation higher than 30 percent prior to December 10, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, alcohol use disorder, depression, OCD, and bipolar disorder, is denied as there was no in-service stressor to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence does not show continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and TDIU due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder and history of alcohol use disorder is rated at 100 percent prior to February 26, 2020. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining service treatment records from the Veteran's first period of enlistment in the United States Navy. The issues of service connection for hepatitis C and an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being remanded to obtain a supplemental VA opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bipolar disorder prior to June 21, 2017, and a TDIU was dismissed as the Veteran only appealed his claim of entitlement to a TDIU. The Board also remanded the case for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting an examination regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination report and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 13, 2012 for a 70% disability rating for bipolar disorder, finding that the criteria for such a rating were not met prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran not appearing for a VA examination, and he is willing to attend another one. The examiner should provide an opinion on whether any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder is medically linked to his in-service diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood.