Bipolar disorder decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, as the evidence did not establish a nexus to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's other specified trauma or stressor-related disorder and bipolar disorder, finding that these conditions were incurred in service due to military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service and no link to service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, both diagnosed after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of all current psychiatric diagnoses.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the April 2019 remand directives and further remand is required to ensure compliance.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained in March 2020 are inadequate and requires additional medical opinions to address all of the Veteran's diagnosed disabilities, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and a right shoulder condition. The matter is therefore being remanded for these missing records and for medical opinions based on a complete factual history.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the lack of evidence showing a link between current symptoms and military service. The claims for higher staged ratings for left knee disorder, right hip disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and hypertension are remanded as additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, evaluation of knee disabilities, and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions. Additional development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's shin splints and psychiatric disorders, including adjustment disorder with anxiety, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and personality disorder, are being remanded for further development to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for an examination to determine if the appellant was insane at the time of his in-service marijuana violations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bipolar disorder, including whether it is a congenital defect or disease. The examiner must provide an opinion on these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder and persistent depressive disorder. The Veteran's representative is Agent Collin A. Douglas.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and assigned a 100% disability rating, effective October 1977. The PTSD is considered to be directly related to an in-service psychological stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, claimed as neurobehavioral effects due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is being remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion from an expert in Camp Lejeune cases. The current examiner did not provide a sufficient rationale for their negative opinion.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with bipolar disorder and alcohol and stimulant use disorders in remission was granted with an evaluation of 100% effective November 14, 2013. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD are granted at 70% prior to August 22, 2018, and at 100% beginning August 22, 2018. The heart disability is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are remanded for further examination and review of his service records to determine if they were aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and military service.