Bipolar disorder decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder as there was no evidence of an in-service event or stressor that caused the condition.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding a current diagnosis and its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and bipolar disorders), and TDIU due to issues with substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding an earlier effective date for service connection of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type because no valid substantive appeal was filed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, and a right hand disorder due to inadequate scheduling of examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder with psychosis was improperly docketed under the AMA review system and must be dismissed because a legacy appeal is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder has been granted. The claim for PTSD remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disability, and acne with keloid scarring, upper back and shoulders have been granted. The claim for increased rating for acne has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions and the need to address pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to military sexual trauma. The Veteran's history of homelessness and mental health issues necessitates further development before a VA medical opinion can be obtained.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder have been granted a 70 percent disability rating since October 26, 2006. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability has also been granted for the same period. Basic eligibility for Dependent's Educational Assistance is established from this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder and PTSD alone rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 2, 2018 to November 16, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is remanded due to inadequate examination and duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 19, 2017, for the award of service connection for PTSD with Bipolar Disorder was denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date is warranted as the earliest possible effective date is the date of receipt of the application to reopen the claim, which is May 19, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to May 19, 2017, was also denied. The Board found that she did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU and could only be granted on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b). However, given her statement indicating that her non-service-connected PTSD was causing her to not work, the Board concluded that she had not met the criteria for referral of her claim to the Director, Compensation Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to provide a proper opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The psychiatric disorders are remanded for further examination and determination of their etiology.

The Board found that the Appellant's character of discharge was not a bar to VA benefits due to his insanity at the time of misconduct, and service connection for Bipolar Disorder I is granted.