Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities are proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The claims for low back and right hip disabilities have been remanded due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his bipolar disorder with PTSD prior to March 4, 2016 remains in appellate status. The earlier effective date claims for TDIU and Chapter 35 DEA benefits are also remanded due to their connection to the increased evaluation claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, including diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. The Veteran missed his first scheduled VA examination due to a fractured femur and an August 2019 VA examination due to inpatient treatment.

The claims for service connection of hepatitis C and posttraumatic stress disorder have been reopened, but the issues of increased ratings for left wrist fracture with strain and left elbow arthralgia, as well as TDIU, are still pending.,Additional evidence has been submitted to support reopening of the hepatitis C and PTSD claims. However, further development is needed in order to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and review of his claims, including the need for a VA mental health examination and an evaluation of his arthritis claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD due to new evidence added to the file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder with depression has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss remains pending and is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that her current psychiatric disorders are not related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is reopened, and the appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the identification of outstanding treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions, including substance abuse, congestive heart failure, seizures, mood disorder, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. The character of discharge from service is also under review.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for bipolar disorder was denied, and his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bipolar disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is granted, and the issues of service connection for Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar I Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for various conditions, including dysmenorrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, bilateral ankle disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, restless legs syndrome, HPV, infertility, gallbladder surgery, tremors and spasms to face and hands, itching, pain, and scars, and VA medical treatment.

The Board has remanded four issues: hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder (including irritable bowel syndrome), bipolar disorder, and a disability rating for residuals of a fracture and dislocation of the right middle finger. Additional development is required to obtain information about the qualifications of the examiners who conducted the November 2012 and July 2019 VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder NOS with alcohol dependence. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disability is due to her military service. The claim was reopened based on new evidence showing a nexus between the Veteran's in-service suicide attempt and her current mental health condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bipolar effective disorder was denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to her May 22, 2014 contact.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for benign tumor of the right occipital area with left homonymous upper quadrantanopsia was denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to her May 22, 2014 contact.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sacroiliac strain was denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to her May 22, 2014 contact.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 50 percent from September 23, 2007 to October 9, 2008. From October 9, 2008, the rating remained at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The initial rating and TDIU claims related to bipolar disorder prior to April 6, 2015 have been granted.