Bipolar disorder decisions — 2022

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran is granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) for his acquired psychiatric disorder, SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o), and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1). The Veteran's request for higher level of care SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records. The Veteran's preexisting bipolar disorder is presumed not aggravated by service, but an addendum opinion is needed regarding whether PTSD is related to a personal assault during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, and entitlement to TDIU prior to November 7, 2013 due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran's bipolar disorder and seizure disorder are being reviewed again due to new evidence or potential service connection.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his service-connected conditions and his pulmonary embolism.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted since the last final denial, which reopened the claim. However, the claim remains remanded as further medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation for migraine headaches, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU. The Veteran must be provided with new VA examinations and his claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, and stage III kidney failure have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bipolar disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders due to a lack of compliance with previous remand orders. The case is being returned for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss.,The Veteran's appendectomy scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's TBI, PTSD, and related conditions are remanded due to missing service treatment records.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and thoracic/lumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and psychiatric disorder are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are also remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizophrenia/bipolar disorder, and chronic adjustment disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that his current mental health conditions are due to or aggravated by military service.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The issues of service connection for HIV are also remanded due to their inextricability with the remanded claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete Reserve service records and unobtained deck logs from the USS Dixie. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including neurobehavioral manifestations, are related to his military service and exposure at Camp Lejeune. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 27, 2010 for the award of service connection for bipolar disorder and a rating of 70 percent from that date. The Veteran's symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total impairment.

The Veteran's death is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development regarding his service-connected disability claim, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disorder. Additionally, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent.,PTSD symptoms such as suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively have been considered.

The Veteran is granted a 70 percent rating for bipolar disorder prior to June 18, 2018. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.,The Veteran's bipolar disorder has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.