Bipolar disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder has been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (IBS) and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder are both remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of a psychiatric condition and increased disability ratings for knee Reiter's syndrome with degenerative arthritis, as well as denied a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's appeal was also remanded for an initial TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, finding that her conditions clearly and unmistakably pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder as secondary to a traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD, and ADHD. Service connection for diabetes, hepatitis C, and PTSD is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alcohol Abuse Disorder, Cocaine Use Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, mood disorder, panic disorder, and bipolar disorder as secondary to service-connected halitosis. The decision also grants service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis due to aggravation by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right hip condition are denied due to dishonorable discharge.,The Veteran's claims for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are denied as new and relevant evidence has not been received.,Service connection is granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae, with the presumption that it was incurred during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, bipolar I disorder, and alcohol use disorder, as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete examinations and scheduling issues.

The Board has denied eligibility for attorney fees in relation to the service connection of right elbow ulnar neuropathy, but granted eligibility for attorney fees related to the increased disability rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder and anxious distress.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, has been granted due to the submission of new evidence that is relevant to his claims. The Board found that he had current diagnoses and in-service stressors leading to his current conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination and opinion for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bipolar I disorder and chronic kidney disease, as well as their secondary relationship. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bipolar disorder, its relationship to service and pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety, are granted. The claim for residuals of a left eyebrow scar is denied. The claim for residuals of a fractured arm injury (now claimed as left wrist sprain) is reopened.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The Veteran's lay assertions of having symptoms in service and that which continued after service are true, but need to be addressed by a clinician.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bipolar disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further evaluation, including an opinion on the etiology of her psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need to consider SSA records.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but denied service connection for chronic pain and an acquired mental disorder.