Bipolar disorder decisions — 2021

The Veteran is granted total disability due to individual unemployability from November 26, 2019.,Obstructive sleep apnea was not found to be secondary to service-connected conditions and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and verification of in-service stressors. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of the VA medical opinion regarding the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are now pending and will be re-adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and panic disorder due to a military sexual trauma stressor. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements and corroborating evidence from sources other than his service records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension was dismissed. The claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder prior to August 27, 2020 is granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder beginning on August 27, 2020 is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective prior to October 27, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability was denied, and he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing records and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders. The case will be reviewed again with new evidence and a thorough examination.

The Veteran was granted TDIU and DIC benefits due to her service-connected bipolar disorder, which rendered her unable to maintain employment. The rating for bipolar disorder was increased to 100% effective April 8, 2011.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected. The issue of severance of service connection for treatment purposes only pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1702 for personality disorder was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to support his claims of a back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, bilateral shoulder disabilities, OSA, and headaches. The claim for vitamin D deficiency is denied as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD prior to November 5, 2020, and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development. Specifically, addendum opinions are required regarding the etiology of her headache disorder and bipolar disorder, as well as clarification of the November 2020 examination report findings.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 70 percent disability rating for bipolar disorder effective February 15, 2013. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder since December 24, 2019 was denied.,A higher rating for the period prior to December 24, 2019 is not granted due to lack of consideration of suicidal ideations and other symptoms associated with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since December 24, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case for initial RO consideration of additional medical evidence that was added to the claims file after the April 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's initial rating for bipolar disorder from February 17, 2015 to March 4, 2018 was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's disability rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder was improperly reduced from 70% to 50%, and the Board granted restoration of a 70% disability rating effective April 1, 2015. The claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and anxiety.