Bipolar disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to conduct a search for service treatment records using both social security numbers listed in the Veteran's file. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, cervical strain, thoracic and lumbar strain with IVDS, sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and bipolar disorder with anxiety disorder have all been denied. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for tendonitis, bilateral pes planus, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a 50 percent rating effective December 10, 2020. His hearing loss remains at noncompensable (0%) and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination related to the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia. The examiner is requested to determine if these conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (claimed as bipolar disorder) due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder, lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, lumbar strain, and tinnitus. As a result, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder with depression is granted. The claims for a higher rating for right foot strain and for service connection for bilateral pes planus are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the existence and etiology of several service-connected conditions, including hypertension, left knee disorder, aching joints, tinnitus, skeletal arthritis of the entire joint system, left elbow disorder, bilateral eye disorder (including sensitivity to light), right knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and bipolar disorder), right elbow disorder, and headache disorder. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his active-duty service and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service TBI and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and bipolar affective disorder, were aggravated by service. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether these conditions existed prior to the period of ACDUTRA and if they are related to disease or injury incurred during this period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current back disability or acquired psychiatric disorder that is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence of record does not support finding that either condition was caused or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion. The examiner must consider her reported military sexual trauma (MST) and in-service depression and suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's kidney disease and any acquired psychiatric condition, claimed as bipolar type II, are both granted service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder (back disability) as it has been granted. The claims for service connection of a breathing disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include MDD, bipolar, and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is granted. The issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability other than depression NOS and bipolar disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, a personality disorder, and alcohol dependence are denied. The rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee disability prior to July 25, 2017, and from September 1, 2017 is granted. Service connection for depression NOS on a direct basis is remanded. Initial compensable rating for depression NOS prior to July 12, 2013, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar I disorder and tardive dyskinesia meet the schedular threshold for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as of October 31, 2016. However, TDIU benefits are not granted prior to this date due to insufficient evidence supporting his claim.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, was found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 7, 2022. Since then, it has been found that his symptoms do not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent.