Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, polysubstance dependence, unspecified personality disorder, and PTSD. The Board also found that his HIV is secondary to his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion and further review is needed.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 100 percent, and the claim for TDIU prior to July 6, 2020, is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's appeal of the reduction of their PTSD disability rating from 50 percent to 30 percent has been dismissed. The AOJ had previously reinstated the 50 percent rating, and a new decision granted an increased 70 percent rating effective January 25, 2024.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA opinions and the need for additional evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including left knee osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, insomnia, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder), spinal stenosis, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), recurrent lumbar strain, and bilateral hallux vagus.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and depression, other than PTSD. Service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to his service-connected TBI. A new VA examination is required to address this issue.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and bipolar disorder with depression, anxiety, and insomnia have been granted. The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbosacral disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right ear hearing loss, bilateral pes planus, left toes stress fracture, and right toes stress fracture are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder and bipolar type, is related to his active military service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders are secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar I disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions had their onset during active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The evidence supports a finding that his current psychiatric disorders began during active service or are related to in-service events and conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the appeal period, leading to a grant of TDIU. The need for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound criteria is also granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder claim is remanded due to new evidence indicating a change in diagnosis from borderline personality disorder to bipolar disorder.,The Veteran's left and right knee disability claims are remanded as there is new evidence of ongoing pain since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability claim should be remanded due to incomplete consideration of all periods of service and an inadequate VA examination. The left foot drop, sciatic nerve, spinal stenosis, left wrist cyst removal with left wrist strain and surgical scar, and left knee patellar tendinosis claims are also remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and additional development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan where she witnessed traumatic events, combined with her history of childhood abuse.