Bipolar disorder decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, was incurred during his period of active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from February 4, 2019. The thyroid disability claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied an initial rating greater than 20 percent for right shoulder strain and has remanded the issues of service connection for knee disorders, OSA, diabetes, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD. The case will be reviewed after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), back condition, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been reopened due to new evidence.,The Veteran's TBI claim is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current CVA to in-service head injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran participated in combat and provided an addendum opinion on his psychiatric diagnoses. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has found a remand is needed due to an error in the prior decision and will correct this by obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the earliest date of bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bipolar disorder. The case must be remanded for an addendum opinion addressing both causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, ADHD, and bipolar disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed stressor and inadequate medical opinions. The case is now before the VA examiner or another qualified professional to provide a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is reopened, and the case is remanded to allow for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's major depression, mood disorder, and bipolar disorder are granted as service-connected. The VA found that the condition began during her time in service and was related to her treatment while active duty.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist, including failing to attempt to verify the Veteran's reported stressor and provide a VA examination for his psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has remanded four service connection issues on appeal due to errors in the duty to assist, including failing to secure earlier VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified neurosis is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a comprehensive mental health examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral arm numbness, back disorder, and psychiatric disorders due to potential issues with the opinions provided. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant did not file a valid substantive appeal after the Veteran's death.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability beginning December 1, 2016. The effective date of this decision is the first day of the month following when it was factually ascertainable that he could no longer secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record since the last decision and requires further consideration. The Veteran is being asked to waive initial AOJ review of this new evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted a 100 percent disability rating throughout the appeal period, effective February 13, 2018. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection is denied.