Bipolar disorder decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD due to military sexual trauma, finding that there was no evidence of a valid in-service stressor or diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric condition, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not start during or relate to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for TBI is granted. The Board finds that further development of the record is needed for a proper adjudication of this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not warrant higher ratings based on the severity of his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a bump on her head, bipolar disorder, heart condition, and IBS was denied. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,A temporary 100 percent rating for right partial knee replacement from November 27, 2017, to July 18, 2018, was granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's reported PTSD stressor event in service. The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are now pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, was granted. The claim for PTSD was denied and the claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to bipolar disorder was granted.,The decision also found that there is no reliable evidence showing the Veteran has PTSD during the appeal period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder. The evidence is at least evenly balanced that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Traumatic Brain Injury with Bipolar Disorder and Tension Headaches are being remanded due to the need for further examination and testing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than December 6, 2006 for the grant of service connection for psychiatric disability is denied. The case is remanded due to issues with his initial rating and TDIU.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to March 1, 2016. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's right knee strain has been rated at 10 percent since February 20, 2020. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,Effective from February 20, 2020, the Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,For the period prior to October 27, 2022, the Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warranted a 10 percent rating. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,Beginning from October 27, 2022, the Veteran's low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine warranted a 20 percent rating. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,For the period prior to March 1, 2016, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and vocational history.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA examination for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression.

Service connection has been granted for bipolar disorder, left hip impairment, right hip impairment, cervical spine injury, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, tinnitus, voiding dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction.,Effective dates have been assigned for service connection based on the filing of a VA 21-0966 Intent to File within one year of May 7, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors for PTSD. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these steps are taken.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type is remanded due to an improper docketing under the modernized appellate system (AMA).

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent since August 20, 2018.,The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from August 20, 2018.