Bipolar disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the issue of whether the character of the Appellant's discharge constitutes a bar to receipt of VA benefits. The appeal is granted, but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and dental issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and bipolar disorder have been granted, while the claim for residuals of a left foot injury is remanded. The claim for alcohol dependency has also been reopened.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was granted a 50 percent evaluation from October 8, 2013 to January 25, 2018 and February 28, 2018 to May 6, 2021. The remaining issues of entitlement to higher ratings for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and substance-induced mood disorder, were incurred during his military service. The VA is instructed to obtain a medical opinion on this matter.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms became manifest during active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from May 14, 2013.,PTSD disability rating prior to May 9, 2018 remains at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, adjustment disorder, mood disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, and alcohol abuse. The case is being sent back for further development to address whether any acquired psychiatric disorders are superimposed on personality disorders during service, and if there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the disabilities existed prior to service.

The petition to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include bipolar disorder and PTSD based upon submission of new and material evidence is granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include bipolar disorder and PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion from the examiners who conducted the March and September 2021 VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are currently pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no one has been substituted in the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and depressive disorder has been reopened, and the Board finds that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The claims are granted with an initial rating of 50 percent for IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, subject to the laws and regulations controlling the award of monetary benefits.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right inguinal hernia, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip as secondary to his service-connected left ankle sprain residuals and left 5th metatarsal fracture residuals.,The Board has also granted service connection for bipolar disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with psychotic episodes based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the February 2006 rating decision, effectively granting an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, other specified trauma and stress related disorder, and adjustment disorder is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout is also reopened. However, the Board has found that there is no current low back disability and thus denied the claim for service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but has remanded these issues due to new evidence received since the last final decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder should be remanded due to missing service treatment records. The VA is instructed to make additional attempts to obtain these records and provide them to the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss and bipolar disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal at a Board hearing.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for a skin condition, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% disability rating, effective since June 19, 2020. Service connection for ADHD and Bipolar Disorder is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to substantiate the claimed stressor related to a military sexual assault (MST) during service, and to determine if PTSD is at least as likely as not related to this event.