Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to evaluate the Veteran's current employment handicap and whether self-employment is the only feasible option for him given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, effective October 31, 2003. A TDIU rating and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are granted from the same effective date.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, and a 70 percent rating for his service-connected mental disorders (including depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and other service-connected mental disorders) is granted effective as of May 4, 2007.

The appeal for service connection for headaches has been dismissed.,The appeals seeking earlier effective dates for tinnitus and a 70% rating for bipolar I disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder have also been dismissed.,An initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus, as well as ratings greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, type II, and greater than 60 percent for CAD, have all been dismissed.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service, and her bipolar disorder is rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.,Her migraine headaches are remanded for a new rating determination. The dry eye syndrome and back disability are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1996 rating decision denying service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, thus preventing a revision or reversal on grounds of CUE.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's mental health conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for a left leg condition, claimed as residuals of a left femur fracture, is granted. An increased disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD with bipolar disorder is granted effective June 9, 2015.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to service-connected conditions, and his PTSD did not result in total occupational and social impairment. The Board denied the claims for accrued benefits purposes and DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's claim for service connection of bipolar disorder. The case will be returned to the AOJ after this development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing treatment records. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected condition, and pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic kidney disease and acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential outstanding SSA disability records, as well as their inextricably intertwined nature.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence on whether his psychiatric condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hepatitis C, and chronic skin condition are related to his military service. The claims will be reviewed again with a focus on determining if these conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by it.

The Veteran's mood disorder, previously rated at 50 percent, is now granted a 70 percent rating effective December 10, 2014. Additionally, the Veteran was granted service connection for lichenoid dermatitis and TDIU.,Effective December 10, 2014, the Veteran's mood disorder is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to an issue regarding whether a previous denial of service connection for PTSD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The main issues are related to the conditions mentioned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bipolar disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied as he is currently employed and his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for psychiatric disability, thyroid disorder, blood disorder, digestive disorder, cardiovascular disorder, and respiratory disorder due to incomplete file rebuilding efforts.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to May 24, 2017. After that date, the rating remains at 70 percent as there is no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the RO did not properly address the issue of an earlier effective date for bipolar disorder type II in the June 2018 Statement of the Case. The Veteran is entitled to a new SOC that complies with the requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 19.29.