Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms and signs of psychosocial impairment are related to military service, specifically her sexual assault during service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in decision-making and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, their relationship to his military service, and whether they contributed to his cause of death. The case will be reviewed again with a focus on these issues.

The Board has granted effective dates of June 30, 2016 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for bipolar disorder and for the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for bipolar disorder was denied as the increase in disability did not occur prior to February 5, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status was also denied as she was not found to be housebound in fact due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 20, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bipolar disorder has been dismissed as the December 2021 appeal is under the Evidence Submission docket, and the July 2022 Notice of Disagreement appeal is more advantageous to the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the AOJ's failure to obtain an adequate medical opinion constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and alcohol abuse disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The finger injury claim was denied. Other service connection claims were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bipolar II disorder with unspecified neurocognitive disorder with traumatic brain injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further investigation and examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to incomplete income information. The AOJ needs to obtain IRS tax returns for the years of 2016 and 2017, which may be requested using a Form 4506-T.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural errors and a need for an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's diagnosed psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD (based on MST) and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that suggests an in-service assault could not be corroborated, specifically missing Leave and Earnings Statements.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion on the baseline severity of his condition prior to aggravation and the level of severity after considering aggravation.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bipolar disorder effective October 23, 2019. The claim is denied prior to this date.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar I was rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that her symptoms did not warrant a higher rating. The appeal is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD rating is restored to 40 percent effective September 3, 2021. A TDIU and PTSD/bipolar disorder ratings are denied. The Veteran also receives eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the lack of consideration of in-service stressors and post-discharge symptoms. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are being reviewed for service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar I disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, is found to be as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bipolar disorder with other psychotic features is denied as she is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance/housebound status is granted due to her mental incapacity.

An effective date of February 19, 2014 is granted for the service-connected acquired psychiatric disabilities, including anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar I disorder.