Bipolar disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical examinations and potential incarceration issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate communication and need for a comprehensive psychiatric examination with someone present who knows the Veteran well.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder with cannabis and alcohol use disorder is granted, as the evidence shows a link to his military service. The claim for anxiety disorder was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability, psychiatric disability (including bipolar disorder), hepatitis C, and right wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to service or caused by a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no current diagnosis of a mental disorder based on DSM-V criteria.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including personality disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD, was granted a disability rating of 70 percent from September 18, 2013, to March 29, 2018.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse disorders, is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service. His claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the request to revise a February 2014 rating decision denying service connection for bipolar disorder based on clear and unmistakable error, finding no CUE in the original decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, is granted as there is a causal relationship between the condition and his military service.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder from February 12, 2008 to May 10, 2021 is granted. A higher rating of greater than 70 percent is denied. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected PTSD is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and Bipolar Disorder Type I were granted a 70 percent rating effective September 13, 2016. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of increased rating for bipolar disorder and TDIU prior to September 8, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to his military service. The VA is directed to attempt verification of non-combat stressors, schedule a psychiatric examination, and obtain medical opinions on hypertension, tension headaches, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, particularly his claims for PTSD and depression. The case is now pending with a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified bipolar disorder, due to the Veteran's in-service military sexual trauma. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether her current psychiatric condition is related to her active service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 28, 2011, or a disability rating of 100 percent from October 28, 2011, to December 9, 2015.

The Veteran's child, B.B., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to the age of 18 due to his mental health conditions. The Board granted recognition as a helpless child for VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for Bipolar Disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability as the evidence does not establish that the Veteran had such a condition during his period of active duty or within one year after separation.

The Board has determined that the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD must be reconsidered, and additional development is needed to verify one of the Veteran's in-service stressors.