Bipolar disorder decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing medical records and the need for an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 30 percent prior to July 28, 2020 and at 70 percent as of that date. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is granted service connection, and an increased disability rating of 40 percent for left ankle degenerative joint disease is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, and mood disorder. The Veteran's consistent reports of in-service trauma have been corroborated by medical records.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for other specified depressive disorder, claimed as depression, memory loss, panic and bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a separate and distinct psychiatric disorder, likely bipolar disorder, which is not related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been granted a 100% rating effective August 1, 2020.,An earlier effective date of August 1, 2011 for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a liver condition, and whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a claim for hepatitis. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired mental health disorder can be adjudicated. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's current diagnoses of anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder are superimposed on his preexisting personality disorder during active service.

The Veteran's appeals of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI, and increased disability rating for scars of the left hand have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral hand disability.

The Board has determined that the VR&E services claim is remanded due to incomplete records and a need for a new VRC evaluation. The Veteran's bipolar disorder may be aggravating his employment, and he should be evaluated again to determine if he has an employment handicap.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his bipolar and related disorder with anxious distress (also claimed as insomnia and PTSD) is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination and insufficient medical evidence on file for the merits of the claim. The Veteran's psychiatric disorders have been diagnosed, but there is no opinion linking these conditions to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and unspecified personality disorders was reopened. Service connection is granted.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis of the right and left feet.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders preexisted service, and also for obtaining authorization and requesting private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 5, 2000 for the award of a TDIU due to service-connected bipolar disorder with PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and anxiety disorder. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and right lower extremity disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation and determination.

The Veteran's disability rating for bipolar disorder was reduced from 70% to 30%, and her TDIU termination was restored. The reduction of the 70% rating is granted.