Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, is granted. The claim for PTSD is also granted. The issue of TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran is seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period prior to July 12, 2016 due to service-connected bipolar disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder. However, as his combined rating does not meet the minimum percentage criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a), the case is being referred to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the VA Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right knee condition and bipolar disorder has been remanded due to the need for additional evidence or further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, major depression with episodes of psychosis and secondary substance abuse. Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder, is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bipolar disorder, as well as to obtain all outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and recurrent depressive disorder, are found to have had their onset during his first period of active duty service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and insomnia, both of which are found to have onset during active service. The issue of a psychiatric disability for purposes of establishing eligibility for VA treatment is dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, effective February 20, 2004. An earlier effective date of February 20, 2004 is granted for TDIU and eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, finding that new evidence supports these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence from Social Security Administration (SSA) records and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective August 31, 2015. The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to issues with the effective dates.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including back condition, cataracts, hearing loss, tinnitus, sinus disability, hypertension, stomach condition (including dysmenorrhea), sickle cell anemia, thyroid disease, and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depressive disorder with anxiety and PTSD is remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2014 VA examination, which did not consider the Veteran's March 2014 hospitalizations or his diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and the need for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and SSA disability records.

The Board has determined that the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) are inextricably intertwined due to their interrelated nature. The Veteran's service connection claims have been remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and a higher rating for his right knee condition, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the existence and etiology of any current psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's reported stressors events during his eligible period of service from August 1982 to June 2, 1986 need to be evaluated for their impact on his acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and PTSD. The right knee disability was remanded due to the Court's decision on the presumption of soundness standard. The left knee disability secondary to a right knee disability is also being remanded.