Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder. The decision requires a VA examination and review of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder is denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis or residuals of fractured shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a concussion or fracture of the skull causing mental instability with memory loss or bipolar disorder and resulting in an aneurysm, headaches, and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD) due to additional evidence being needed.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 3, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the 70 percent rating for service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and for TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bipolar disorder and ADHD due to insufficient clarification from the VA examiner regarding whether these conditions preexisted his military service or were aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, is reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address whether her psychiatric conditions are related to stressors in service, specifically sexual harassment, as well as her bilateral knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if there were any periods of active duty service for training or military purposes that occurred between December 1982 and June 1998, as these could affect the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder, and therefore service connection for bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, unstable, and schizoaffective disorder is denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed PTSD, Bipolar II Disorder, and Substance Abuse Disorders as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 2003 for a 70% rating for bipolar disorder is denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date, January 12, 2009, was assigned due to factual ascertainability within one year prior to her increased rating claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive episode without psychotic features and other conditions, as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The evidence submitted was not new and material.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of August 13, 1991, for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's request to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD is granted. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, erectile dysfunction, tremors, muscle tension headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and depression have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is proximately due to or has been aggravated by his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression and bipolar disorder was granted retroactively effective from December 14, 1992. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the earliest possible effective date is November 7, 1991.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with substance abuse was rated at 30 percent from December 18, 2000 to January 16, 2006. The Board found the severity of his symptoms and their effects on his occupational and social functioning did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar mood disorder, depression, and anxiety, as these conditions are found to have been incurred during service.