Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal of a proposed reduction in the Veteran's bipolar disorder rating from 50 percent to 30 percent because it was not an actual decision on the merits, but rather a notification of proposed action.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which may be secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a vascular disorder, including as due to toxic exposures during military service, need further development. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service and post-service treatment records, particularly those from Chicago VA. The Veteran's bipolar disorder claim will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with substance abuse disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU for purposes of accrued benefits was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disability rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder with bipolar I disorder was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD have been dismissed as the RO granted service connection for adjustment disorder, which already includes symptoms of both conditions.

The Veteran's rating for unspecified depressive disorder was reduced from 70% to 50%, but the December 2020 decision restored it back to 70%. The issue of service connection for bipolar disorder as secondary to unspecified depressive disorder is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is denied because the Board finds that his bipolar disorder pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during service.,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for substance abuse disorders (to include alcohol and opioid abuse disorders) is also denied as VA compensation will not be paid if the claimed disability or death was the result of the person's own willful misconduct or abuse of alcohol or drugs.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was dismissed as service connection had already been granted.,Service connection for a deviated septum is denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar due to insufficient evidence on file.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar, manic disorder is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is remanded for further review.

The Veteran is competent to handle his VA pension benefits and manage his financial affairs, including the disbursement of funds.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified bipolar and related disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 27, 2019 for the assignment of a 100% evaluation for bipolar disorder due to increased severity of symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence, specifically a lack of a psychiatric examination. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain her private treatment records and any outstanding VA treatment records. A new psychiatric examination must be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of any PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorder.

The appeal is dismissed because the reinstated Legacy appeal for an increased initial rating for bipolar I disorder will subsume the current appeal stream, which stems from the receipt of the October 2020 VA Form 10182. The Board finds that the extraneous appeal should be dismissed and the rating assigned for bipolar I disorder will be addressed in the pending Legacy appeal.