Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need to consider additional evidence and reassess her disability status from July 20, 1998 to February 12, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with schizophrenia, cannabis use disorder, bipolar disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder was granted effective December 20, 2022. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder did not prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denied her claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 29, 2017, for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is denied as there was no increase in severity within the one-year period before filing the claim.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status is denied due to lack of a qualifying disability and inability to work due to multiple service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD remains pending as his current VA medical records are needed for an accurate assessment.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left hip limitation of flexion is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with unspecified bipolar disorder and substance use disorder in remission is denied. The Board found no communications prior to September 5, 2012 that could be construed as a claim for this benefit.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder) is granted service connection. The issue of service connection for a disability manifested by fatigue is remanded due to medical ambiguity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, is related to service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral heel spurs, and a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. The claims are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical opinion addressing the Veteran's theory of causation or aggravation, and for obtaining such an opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for PTSD with bipolar disorder prior to July 16, 2021, and after that date was dismissed as she withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD and bipolar disorder) prior to September 18, 2007 is denied. The Board also granted a higher initial disability rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder from September 18, 2007 through January 19, 2011.

The Veteran's initial rating for his psychiatric disorder is granted at 70 percent, effective July 13, 2013. A higher rating of over 70 percent is denied as there is no evidence of total social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, was incurred during his period of active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from February 4, 2019. The thyroid disability claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied an initial rating greater than 20 percent for right shoulder strain and has remanded the issues of service connection for knee disorders, OSA, diabetes, and a psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD. The case will be reviewed after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), back condition, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been reopened due to new evidence.,The Veteran's TBI claim is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current CVA to in-service head injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development regarding whether the Veteran participated in combat and provided an addendum opinion on his psychiatric diagnoses. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has found a remand is needed due to an error in the prior decision and will correct this by obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the earliest date of bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bipolar disorder. The case must be remanded for an addendum opinion addressing both causation and aggravation.