Bipolar disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period (1 year of separation from service). Continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's initial rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, prior to October 29, 2018, was denied as his claim was part of a TDIU application. The Board remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's total disability rating for individual unemployability, prior to October 29, 2018, was referred to the Compensation Service Director for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further development, including obtaining missing stressor evidence and providing VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, PTSD, and bipolar disorder, are related to his service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, but no higher, has been granted. The claim for SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, and insomnia. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether there is additional disability resulting from a disease or injury that was superimposed upon the Veteran's personality disorder as a result of service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including mood disorder, personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and antisocial personality disorder, caused total social impairment prior to January 25, 2016. The Board granted an initial rating of 100 percent for this period.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorder, bipolar I disorder with paranoia, psychosis, and depression, is related to his period of service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's multiple substance abuse disorders were aggravated by his service-connected disabilities and contributed to his death caused by mixed drug intoxication. Therefore, service connection for cause of death is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining private treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being evaluated to determine their onset and relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including increased ratings for bipolar disorder, post-concussive headaches, and lumbar disc herniation. The TDIU claim is also on hold until all other claims are addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to his death. The claim of service connection for a mental disorder, including bipolar disorder, personality disorder, and dissociative disorder, has been reopened but the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide its merits.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 1, 1991 for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder type II. The decision is based on new evidence that was not previously considered and associated with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient attempts by VA to obtain all relevant treatment records for several private providers. The Veteran's claim of increased disability rating for bipolar disorder is now pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding her duty status during service. The claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and also denied his request for a temporary total evaluation due to hospitalization for a service-connected condition. The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted, and that the Veteran did not attend a scheduled VA examination which could have provided relevant evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, COPD, sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 100 percent for bipolar disorder with PTSD features is granted, effective September 19, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran's bipolar disorder, hypertension, alveolar fracture of the jaw, deviated nasal septum with scar, and diabetes mellitus are all found to have been caused by or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the etiology of the Veteran's epilepsy and whether it is related to his military service.