Bipolar disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. The claim is now reopened, and a new medical opinion found that her bipolar disorder began during active service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability was also granted. However, the evidence did not relate to any in-service injury or disease, and the Board found no relationship between her current presbyopia and active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including MDD, MDD with psychotic features, anxiety, cyclothymia, delusional disorder, unspecified personality disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The decision concluded that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type had its onset during his period of active service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder unspecified) based on new evidence received since the final denial of these claims in February 2016. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD and a schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, as well as his claim for TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his claimed stressors were not corroborated and that there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Bipolar Disorder likely began during his active service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of residuals of left and right ankle injuries, as well as bipolar disorder, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar I disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling effective July 31, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bipolar disorder. The claim will be returned for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to comply with VA's duty to assist the Veteran in obtaining evidence needed to substantiate his claims for service connection. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and a review of the medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, including VA examinations for his acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disability, low back disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss (for VA purposes).

The Veteran's fungal and/or bacterial endocarditis is granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. His bipolar II disorder with panic attacks is granted an initial 100 percent rating. The TDIU claim is dismissed as moot, but the effective date for the award of bipolar II disorder benefits remains pending.

The Veteran's MDD with history of psychotic features is granted as service-connected. The issue regarding other psychiatric disorders remains pending.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and other mental health disorders because new evidence did not show in-service onset or a nexus to service.

Service connection is granted for myasthenia gravis, neck condition, and acquired psychiatric condition. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment history and earnings, as well as incomplete VA treatment records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder II, was aggravated by his military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.