Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and the retrieval of clinical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar and adjustment disorder with depressed mood was granted, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's PTSD, to include schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, is rated at 100 percent prior to December 21, 2012. From December 21, 2012, the rating is 70 percent. The Veteran also received a grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for VR&E services, including independent living assistance, was not properly considered due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The case is being remanded to provide the necessary assessments and determine eligibility for such services.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for the grant of service connection and TDIU should be remanded due to procedural errors, and a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with cocaine use disorder is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar I disorder, and alcohol use disorder, due to military sexual trauma (MST), finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to her MST. The decision is based on evidence of behavior changes consistent with MST stressors and corroborated by medical records.

The Veteran's initial claim for PTSD with unspecified bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, cocaine use disorder, and cannabis use disorder was granted effective from September 8, 2011. An initial rating of 70 percent is granted prior to April 27, 2022.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied, and the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of April 29, 2019, for the award of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, and bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and duty-to-assist errors. The issues include bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, left knee septic condition as secondary to bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, acquired psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure, arthritis of the lower extremities, degenerative disc disease of the low back, and jaw/speech impairment.

The Veteran's rating for bipolar/adjustment disorder with depressed features was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent effective June 1, 2021. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service, while not an honorable discharge, does not preclude him from receiving VA education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill due to his established service connection for a mental health condition.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and unspecified trauma-and stressor-related disorder, are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The appeal for these claims is granted.

The June 24, 1982 rating decision denied service connection for a mental disorder. The Veteran's claim was reopened in 1993 and granted with a 100% rating effective April 30, 2014. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date based on CUE.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a complete copy of all records related to his application for VA loan guaranty benefits, including decisions and notifications from the VA or received by him.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to have been incurred during military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to a duty to assist error and potential extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder with opioid dependence. The VA must provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and effective dates related to various mental health conditions. The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed before the claims can be decided.