Bipolar disorder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities (right and left), and psychiatric disability are all granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has vacated its August 27, 2019 decision declining to reopen the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder due to a failure to consider new evidence. The Veteran's claim is now remanded for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has ordered additional development due to new VA medical records being added to the claims file. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection will be reconsidered after this.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder/depression has prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities aided in his death, and the Board has granted service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for generalized anxiety disorder is granted.,Service connection for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease, is granted.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, and entitlement to a TDIU due to the need for additional development.