Bipolar disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his acquired psychiatric disorders (other than PTSD) are due to aggravation of his personality disorder in service. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may impact the outcome of the service connection claim.

The Board has found the Veteran competent and credible to report developing symptoms after service, including sleep impairment and social isolation. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a mental health examiner to address whether his current psychiatric disabilities are related to service or aggravated by his service-connected TBI.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received by the Veteran, which raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 50 percent since April 2010. The Board has now granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder and depression did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sleep disturbances, bipolar disorder, depression, and memory loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The issues of TDIU are also being remanded as they may be impacted by the development sought.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for verification of a stressor and further examination.

The Veteran's mental health condition and bilateral hip conditions have not met the criteria for higher ratings, with his mental health condition rated at 70 percent and his hips rated at 10 percent each.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are rated at 70 percent. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent prior to December 4, 2018 and the rating for this condition is denied thereafter. A compensable rating of IBS with GERD was granted prior to August 1, 2019. Bilateral hearing loss is also service-connected but not rated as it is a separate issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU have been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as moot because these benefits are already in effect.

The Veteran's bipolar II disorder was not manifested by symptoms resulting in total occupational and social impairment.,Prior to April 25, 2017 and from October 1, 2018, the Veteran was able to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.,From April 25, 2017 to September 30, 2018, the Veteran was not able to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected bipolar II disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from November 27, 2017 to December 27, 2020. The Board found the symptoms more closely approximated a 50 percent disability rating during this period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic back condition during or after service. The claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was also denied due to the absence of regular aid and assistance needs.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to conflicting information regarding his character of discharge during a period of honorable active service. The Board requires further investigation into the records to determine if this period should be considered honorable.

The Veteran's claim for a waiver of S-DVI premiums was denied because his total disability did not begin after the date of his application for insurance or while the insurance was in force under premium-paying conditions, and he does not have a service-connected condition that would allow him to qualify for an exception.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and other specified disorder was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, drug abuse, left hip disability, right knee disability, and right foot pes planus were dismissed or remanded as appropriate.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left/right ankle ligamentous laxity have been granted service connection as secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus.,Service connection for gastroesophageal disability (GERD) and intestinal disability (IBS) has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bipolar I disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms, including depression, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and problems with relationships, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on pre-existence and aggravation of service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bipolar disorder, right knee chondromalacia, and vertigo due to lack of recent VA treatment records and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran needs new examinations to assess her current disability levels.