Bipolar disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her back disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded multiple times. The case is being returned to the Board due to incomplete development, including missing examination notification letters.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and examination. The issues include a lower back and hip disability, as well as a psychiatric disorder including bipolar, PTSD, and insomnia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, paranoid type, psychosis, not otherwise specified, and schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims were then granted as his symptoms manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further review due to new evidence added since the Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for psychiatric disability and TDIU prior to July 31, 2018 due to insufficient information provided by previous VA examinations. An additional VA examination is needed.

The Board has decided to remand four of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and one for service connection due to outdated examination reports. The Veteran will need new examinations for his bipolar disorder, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and foot disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and restless leg syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as it was granted back to the initial date of claim in a rating decision dated August 23, 2023.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder should be remanded due to outstanding medical records from his time in prison.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for extraschedular consideration. The Board found that she did not meet schedular criteria for a TDIU but may be eligible for an extraschedular rating based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's son, A.G., is recognized as a dependent child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18, based on his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's IBS is granted service connection, while his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) remains under review and remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant through their authorized representative.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating prior to May 4, 2015. The TDIU issue is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. Another remand is required.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Alcohol Dependence based on verified in-service stressors and the Veteran's current diagnoses.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and left knee scar are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability to include a not otherwise specified depressive disorder, an anxiety disorder, a bipolar disorder, and ADHD.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. However, the case is remanded as further development is needed to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including whether they are superimposed on a personality disorder during active service.