Bipolar disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has revised the effective date of service connection for bipolar disorder from May 8, 2014 to May 8, 2015 due to a legal error in the original decision.

The Board has decided to vacate the denial of service connection for a headache disorder and remand it due to its inextricability with the previously remanded claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is granted. The cases of diabetes mellitus type 2 and hypertension are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and secondary service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is also found to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's low back disorder, as well as for his left and right knee disorders which are considered secondary to his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bipolar disorder may be related to his service-connected prostate cancer, but needs further clarification from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric conditions pre-existed her military service and if they are related to her active duty.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claim for recognition as the Veteran's helpless child for purposes of entitlement to VA survivor's benefits due to incomplete records submitted by the appellant. The appellant is required to submit complete copies of all relevant school and medical records from specified sources.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing notice of military sexual trauma claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and alcohol/drug abuse. The remand includes obtaining additional medical records and requesting a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar II disorder with panic disorder resulted in total social and occupational impairment prior to April 11, 2014, warranting a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for bipolar disorder was denied. Her application to reopen her PTSD claim was granted.,The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot condition is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the adequacy of the VA examinations and opinions provided in previous decisions, as they did not adequately consider the Veteran's combat experiences and medical history.

The Board has found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder.,The Board has also found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for hypertension, BPH, skin cancer, or COPD due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary link between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% for the period prior to April 5, 2018. For the period from April 5, 2018 onward, a rating in excess of 70% is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for tardive dyskinesia is granted, and she is awarded a TDIU from January 31, 2014 to November 25, 2015.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals of service connection for obesity, bilateral flatfeet, and a rating higher than 0 percent for his scar. The claims were withdrawn by the Veteran at his hearing. Service connection was denied for psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder), heart condition, and lung condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding them for additional development to obtain medical opinions and verify stressors.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), nerve problems with anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disorder and breathing disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, particularly PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.