Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective prior to September 18, 2019. The Board granted this initial rating based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his ability to function in work and social settings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the VA to obtain additional medical records and provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit information regarding his employment history during the period of January 29, 2010, to March 5, 2019.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety, is denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder first manifested during his period of initial active duty training, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified personality disorder and/or borderline personality disorder is denied, while her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a right-hand disability and is now remanding the case to consider whether direct service connection can be established for any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and substance-related disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses of personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders are not service-connected due to their nature as congenital defects.

The Veteran's claim for hammer toe has been denied as she does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD due to MST and related conditions, and psychosis or mental illness for treatment purposes are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD is granted, and her claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder due to new evidence received after notification of the July 2016 rating decision. However, both conditions were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD conforming to DSM criteria and no link between bipolar disorder and in-service events.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar I disorder with alcohol use disorder was granted effective November 6, 2012. The decision does not specify any earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizophrenia disorder and bipolar type, was incurred during his period of active service. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether this condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar II disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran timely filed a substantive appeal regarding his claims for service connection and increased ratings, thus reinstating the underlying appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and ADD as separate disabilities from her service-connected bipolar 1 disorder, most recent episode depressed, not otherwise specified, were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar 1 disorder was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and PTSD due to incomplete records and conflicting assertions regarding the onset of his mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings and effective dates for service-connected conditions have been denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities has also been denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability to include mood disability, personality disability, bipolar disability, and antisocial personality disability was rated at 30 percent prior to January 25, 2016.,Prior to January 25, 2016, the evidence of record did not demonstrate that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, excluding PTSD, as there is no current diagnosis of bipolar disorder or chronic depression. The preponderance of evidence does not support these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and the need for another VA psychiatric examination.