Bipolar disorder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and evaluation of the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding service connection for unspecified bipolar and related disorders. The issues of total disability based on individual unemployability are also inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The current VA examination did not consider all relevant evidence of record and provided mixed conclusions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a bilateral eye condition as the Veteran withdrew her claim prior to a decision.,The Board granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received and that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and insomnia disorder has been granted as these conditions are directly related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent from March 14, 2017 to January 24, 2018. From January 25, 2018, the rating remains at 70 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied in 2011, and he did not appeal. The VA sent him a second intent to file in February 2018, which led to the grant of service connection for psychiatric disorder effective February 6, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain relevant medical records and provide an updated VA examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is being considered on a new-and-material basis, as her claim was previously denied due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board does not find any evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination and other procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The Veteran's service periods need clarification, and all relevant records must be obtained.

The Veteran is granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective November 28, 2016. She is also granted TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his psychiatric conditions, hepatitis C, liver scarring, and headaches. The RO is instructed to obtain addendum opinions from appropriate psychologists or psychiatrists, clinicians, and a clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to address a request for additional time to submit evidence and argument, and to re-examine the evidence of record. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded as there was not substantial compliance with the Board's December 2019 remand directives.

The Board has determined that there was no substantial compliance with the August 2021 remand directives and thus, an additional remand is necessary to address the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar affective disorder is granted. The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a skin condition is denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bipolar disorder with an effective date of July 22, 2008 based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the prior denial of his claim.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence is not persuasive in favor of a link between any current condition and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining more recent private treatment records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Appellant's psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and related conditions, do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as there is insufficient evidence to substantiate that he is unemployable due to these conditions.