Bipolar disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected lumbar myositis and/or tinea versicolor. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that his preexisting condition did not increase in severity during service and thus the presumption of aggravation does not apply.

The Board dismissed all the appeals, including those for service connection and evaluations for various conditions. The Veteran withdrew his appeal in writing on December 7, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining private and SSA records related to bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar with depression, is granted as service-connected. The claim for TDIU remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and unspecified personality disorder, finding that these conditions began in service and have continued since.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including bipolar disorder with substance abuse disorder, has been reopened and granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran's bipolar disorder began during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and a disorder manifested by neurobehavioral effects. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors related to military sexual trauma (MST) and a need for additional development regarding the Veteran's service dates.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, finding that they were aggravated by his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete Reserve service records, specifically regarding the Veteran's ACDUTRA in July 1997. The AOJ needs to obtain all relevant documents and determine if the Veteran was on authorized travel during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service connection for bipolar disorder/bipolar depressive disorder (claimed as anxiety, depression, mania, and bipolar) is granted. The issues of initial compensable disability rating for hearing loss and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective from May 13, 2012. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with alcohol abuse is granted a rating of 70 percent from November 17, 2016, to March 4, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bipolar disorder and TDIU due to ongoing issues with rating determinations. The appeal is pending further development, including obtaining relevant private medical records and a retrospective VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder, is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current record. The Board will seek a clarification from a medical examiner regarding whether these conditions began during or were caused by his active naval service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and to obtain Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's anxiety and bipolar disorder are being considered, but service connection is not granted as it does not meet the criteria of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.