Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives regarding a psychiatric evaluation. The appellant's claim will be reconsidered by an Independent Medical Examiner who is a psychiatrist.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, as well as her claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision found that there was clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existence of the psychiatric disabilities prior to service and that they were not aggravated by service. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied due to non-service-connected schizoaffective disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and anxiety disability is rated at 70 percent since May 16, 2014. The issue of an increased rating for prostate disability (benign prostatic hypertrophy) remains on appeal.,The Veteran’s right hip arthroplasty scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his VA Form 9 was untimely filed. The decision also noted that he did not timely appeal the denial of left knee disorder claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a VA examination, and because of the need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder has been rated at 100% since August 13, 2008. This decision grants a higher disability rating for the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and a sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder is denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment, which would be required for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded the presumption of soundness due to his mental health issues prior to enlistment. However, VA has not met its burden of proving by clear and unmistakable evidence that bipolar disorder pre-existed service. The Board finds a new VA medical opinion is needed to address the issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired mental health disability, to include bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as anxiety, depression, mood disorder, unspecified trauma- and stressor-related disorder, and unspecified bipolar-related disorder is granted. Service connection for substance abuse disorders (including methamphetamine and opioid use disorders and substance induced psychosis) secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disabilities is also granted.

The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder and depression, is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for a new etiological opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for injury due to re-circumcision surgery is granted, and his bipolar disorder rating is increased to 70 percent. The decision also notes that the Veteran withdrew his appeal of the bipolar disorder rating in October 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenic reaction, paranoid type, and a nervous condition, are granted as of April 20, 1968.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability due to his failure to cooperate and report for a necessary VA examination. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder) was also denied because there is no evidence of current diagnoses within the appellate period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to missing service treatment records from a psychiatric evaluation in Nuremburg, Germany. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's application for an extension of the delimiting date for his Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits was granted due to medical infeasibility from December 19, 2012 to May 29, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple disabilities, including head injuries and knee issues. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the nature and etiology of these conditions.