Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a violation of his due process rights regarding notification of his right to an administrative hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for compliance with the directives in the Joint Motion for Remand (JMR).

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the weight gain caused by PTSD led to the development of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for bipolar I disorder with depressed mood and anxiety disorder is granted as of February 2, 2019.,The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is also granted.

The Veteran's non-initial compensable rating for bipolar disorder is denied as his symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational and social functioning or require continuous medication.

The Board has restored a 100% rating for PTSD with unspecified bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder, effective December 1, 2021, as the reduction in rating was invalid.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and adjustment disorder with depression. The claim is based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms and post-service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to obtain more information about the Veteran's in-service stressor and conduct further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service connection for OSA is granted, while the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, secondary to PTSD, was denied. The claim for an increased rating for tuberculosis with chest pain and dyspnea from June 3, 2020, was also denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding several rating issues, including those related to psychiatric disorder and GERD. The Board dismissed these appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar I disorder, finding that new and relevant evidence had not been received related to this issue.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at a maximum of 70 percent from October 9, 2010.,The Veteran was granted TDIU effective October 9, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder due to an inadequate VA examination prior to the January 2022 rating decision. The Veteran's current service-connected conditions include PTSD, major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, active, moderate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required to evaluate the nature, onset, and etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 4, 2021 for the award of service connection for unspecified bipolar and related disorder was denied. The claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity from May 20, 2019 to May 20, 2021 were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with bipolar II disorder is granted a 100 percent evaluation, reflecting total occupational and social impairment throughout the relevant appellate period.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient information regarding when and where the Veteran's alleged in-service stressor occurred, as well as whether it was during a period of federalized active service. The claim will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his trauma and stressor related disorder and bipolar and related disorder was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so his initial disability rating for the condition remains at 70 percent.