Bipolar disorder decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, found no evidence of a current diagnosis and concluded that the Veteran's Bipolar II Disorder already covers his symptoms. The Board also denied separate ratings for acquired psychiatric disorders due to overlapping symptoms. Service connection was not granted because of willful misconduct in alcohol and cannabis use.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to June 21, 2010 for PTSD with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. The decision found that the Veteran's service records were of record at the time of the original rating decision in December 1985 and did not support a retroactive evaluation due to lack of evidence of an in-service event.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder) was evaluated at a 50% rating from May 16, 2019 to June 24, 2019. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms more closely approximated the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's bipolar disorder. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated as 30 percent disabling from January 27, 2016, to May 12, 2021, and 50 percent disabling since May 12, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to service.,Service connection was denied for a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, GAD, and alcohol use disorder in remission are granted service connection. However, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as his pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that it is causally related to his period of active duty. The decision also reopened the previously denied claim.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and ADHD, is rated at 100 percent from May 8, 2015 to April 18, 2017. The claim for a TDIU prior to this date was dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to a Joint Motion for Remand, and will require an addendum opinion from the May 2019 VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, as well as her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected PTSD. The Board found that there was clear and unmistakable evidence showing that the Veteran's pre-existing schizoaffective disorder did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of ECT treatment is denied as the VA did not cause any additional disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar II disorder with anxious distress is denied. The evidence shows that the Veteran experiences occupational and social impairment, but not to a level warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition and erectile dysfunction was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 100 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with Bipolar disorder) was granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, due to concerns about the adequacy of the previous VA examination. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric disorders are related to witnessing an explosion during active duty.

The Veteran is granted earlier effective dates of June 6, 2017 for both TDIU and bipolar disorder (formerly MDD). The decision also grants the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for bipolar disorder, PTSD, and a higher rating for right knee injury residuals due to incomplete records and further examination. The Veteran's potential service in Grenada needs verification, and diagnostic testing is required for his right knee condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, major depressive disorder, alcohol abuse, and PTSD, is granted service connection. Service connection for left foot numbness is denied.

The Veteran's TBI residuals with neurocognitive disorder and unspecified bipolar disorder are rated at 100 percent, the highest possible rating. The Board also granted an increased rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was denied in October 2012. New evidence received since then suggests a potential relationship between the Veteran's current mental health conditions and his active service, warranting reopening of the claim.