Bipolar disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD were first manifest during service, granting their claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is at least 40% since March 9, 2009. The Board finds the Veteran may be unemployable due to his knee disability.

The Veteran's mental health disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as his obstructive sleep apnea are now service connected. He is also granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The Veteran's statements regarding his combat service in Vietnam were found to be patently incredible.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, were not found to have begun during service or be related to any in-service events. The Board concluded that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded both claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, and for special monthly compensation based on housebound status or the need of regular aid and attendance. The remand requires verification of the Veteran's claimed stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to January 19, 2011. The evidence does not substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder due to a lack of VA treatment records. The RO is instructed to attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of post-discharge mental health treatment records, specifically those from San Bernardino Behavioral Health where the Veteran was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The VA examiner will need to determine if the psychiatric disorder is related to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, Bipolar Affective Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors or a disease/condition during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been referred to the RO. The SMC claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these pending claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and additional medical opinions are needed regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, their relationship to service, and whether they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of his current conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, and service connection is granted.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and bipolar disorder), with aggravation by service-connected conditions.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability is denied.,Initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip disability is denied.,The Veteran's claims for neck, seizure, and TDIU disabilities are remanded.,No effective date provided as the decision pertains to current service connection status.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA examination and lack of verified stressors. The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, and Schizoaffective Disorder, which are all psychiatric disabilities. Additional development is needed to verify stressors and obtain a new VA opinion.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. The right knee disability may be due to the Veteran's in-service motor vehicle accidents and wear and tear from physical activity, but it could also be related to her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for bipolar disorder and a TDIU prior to December 19, 2016 are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be further reviewed after the completion of the necessary examinations.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any other condition.,Service connection was granted for depressive disorder, with the Board concluding that it is secondary to service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST and bipolar disorder is granted. Claims for gangrene of the left foot, gangrene of the left knee, gangrene of the right foot, and gangrene of the right knee are denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.