Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to insufficient nexus opinions and the need to address pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, due to military sexual trauma. The Veteran's history of homelessness and mental health issues necessitates further development before a VA medical opinion can be obtained.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder have been granted a 70 percent disability rating since October 26, 2006. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability has also been granted for the same period. Basic eligibility for Dependent's Educational Assistance is established from this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if his current psychiatric disorders are related to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder and PTSD alone rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 2, 2018 to November 16, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, is remanded due to inadequate examination and duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 19, 2017, for the award of service connection for PTSD with Bipolar Disorder was denied. The Board found that no earlier effective date is warranted as the earliest possible effective date is the date of receipt of the application to reopen the claim, which is May 19, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to May 19, 2017, was also denied. The Board found that she did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU and could only be granted on an extraschedular basis under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b). However, given her statement indicating that her non-service-connected PTSD was causing her to not work, the Board concluded that she had not met the criteria for referral of her claim to the Director, Compensation Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and failure to provide a proper opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The psychiatric disorders are remanded for further examination and determination of their etiology.

The Board found that the Appellant's character of discharge was not a bar to VA benefits due to his insanity at the time of misconduct, and service connection for Bipolar Disorder I is granted.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based solely on his service-connected other specified bipolar disorder, effective July 24, 2017. He also meets the criteria for SMC based on statutory housebound status due to this condition and additional service-connected disabilities combined at 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting diagnoses and a need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a respiratory condition, increased ratings for his left hip condition, and eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) and special home adaptation (SHA) grant have been dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for PTSD due to MST has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 18, 2018, for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder is denied. The earliest possible effective date is October 18, 2018, when VA received his request to reopen the claim.

The Board denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to support the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic psychiatric symptoms since service and noting inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his mental health history.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD. The examiner is instructed to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service and whether he experienced any stressors during service that could support a PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations and provide additional information. The Veteran is homeless, which may constitute good cause for missing the examinations.