Bipolar disorder decisions — 2021

The Board found that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for a back injury, bipolar disorder, headaches, and hypertension. Therefore, these claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder and depressive disorder are proximately caused by his service-connected left knee disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran's mental health issues are being reviewed again, with a focus on in-service alcoholism treatment and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for breast cancer has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including bipolar disorder and PTSD.

An earlier effective date of September 18, 2007 for the grant of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD and bipolar disorder) is granted. For the initial rating period on appeal from September 18, 2007 through January 19, 2011, a higher initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for acquired psychiatric disorders is denied.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder.,As of January 10, 2014, the Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU and his service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation. The issue is remanded for further consideration prior to January 10, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the claims as they are no longer valid.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification regarding the Veteran's dates of service in National Guard, as well as opinions on whether his 2012 bipolar disorder is related to Hurricane Katrina participation and if any current psychiatric condition is aggravated by subsequent service.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression), and restless leg syndrome due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions and potential duty-to-assist issues.

The Veteran's bipolar II disorder is found to have started during her active service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran was granted a higher initial disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD, the maximum schedular rating.,An effective date prior to July 3, 2017, for service connection of PTSD is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, finding that his current psychiatric issues are at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a colon disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims. The claim for special monthly pension was also denied as there were no findings of permanent housebound status or additional disabilities independently ratable at 60% or more.

The Board has granted service connection for ADHD based on the benefit of the doubt, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical care received at The Villages Regional Hospital on November 19, 2015 is granted because the treatment was provided in a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a personality disorder has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims for PTSD and bipolar disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU due to new evidence received after the February 2019 supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran underwent a VA examination in July 2014, but his symptoms have worsened since then. A remand is necessary to obtain additional treatment records from the Vet Center and for a VA examination to assess the current severity of PTSD and mood manifestations.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is being remanded for further development, including obtaining relevant medical records from Gadsen Regional MH center.