Bipolar disorder decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including pre-service mental health treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizoaffective and bipolar disorder, finding that the onset of these conditions coincided with active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an additional etiological opinion that is in conformity with the DSM-IV and addresses the Veteran's lay statements regarding his tours of duty. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 10, 2018, for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for regular aid and attendance was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim for SMC before April 20, 2018, and that it was not factually ascertainable he needed regular aid and attendance within one year prior to his claim.

The Board has denied service connection for bipolar disorder as the symptoms cannot be distinguished from those of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed and has stated that his inability to work was due to personal reasons rather than his disabilities.

The claims for service connection are being reconsidered due to newly received service treatment records. Service connection is granted for the skin condition, but other issues remain under review.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been granted service connection.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right hand pointer finger injury and stomach/digestive system disability (GERD) have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that it would constitute pyramiding due to overlapping symptoms with her already service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% effective September 13, 2017. The rating reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted, and he is now receiving a 70 percent rating for his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a left knee condition as secondary to a right knee condition due to potential discrepancies in military personnel records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and service records, and will reconsider the claim de novo.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted service connection. The claim for secondary service connection for pancreatitis to include as secondary to service-connected disability is remanded.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a 70% disability rating from March 5, 2005. The Board found that the symptoms of suicidal ideations, memory loss, and cognitive deficits are suggestive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations, lack of notification of private treatment records, and incomplete information regarding stressors. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional details about his claimed stressors and complete forms for obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is now rated at 100 percent effective March 3, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar II disorder, finding that the condition originated during active service and is related to it.