Bipolar disorder — all decisions

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent effective February 9, 2009. The Board also granted a TDIU rating effective June 6, 2013.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at a 50% disability rating, and the Board has granted an additional 20% (to a total of 70%) for the entire appeal period based on his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of substantial compliance with previous development requests.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and uncompleted VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide updated contact information so that he can be scheduled for additional medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and additional VA treatment records, as well as the need to determine if there are any outstanding private treatment records. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and mood disorder (schizoaffective disorder), is related to his military service. The evidence shows he received treatment for mental health issues during service and continues to have symptoms since then.

The Board has previously remanded this claim multiple times and now finds that another medical opinion is necessary to address the outstanding questions of diagnosis and nexus. The Veteran's current diagnoses and etiology of a psychiatric disorder are in conflict, with some evidence suggesting PTSD and other conditions such as mood disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors. The AOJ must verify the stressors and schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening of his claims. The case is remanded to allow for a VA examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, right knee arthroplasty, and right lateral popliteal cutaneous neuropathy have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 11, 2012.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, tobacco use disorder, and alcohol use disorder, which are associated with his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for macular degeneration and Parkinson’s Disease are remanded due to potential exposure to herbicide agents, including TCE, during his military service. The Board will defer adjudication of the remaining psychiatric claims until the development on these claims is completed.,The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need of aid and attendance of another person is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims being remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and cyclothymic disorders, is rated at 70 percent. The rating will remain in effect as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder with PTSD prior to March 4, 2016. The earlier effective date claims for TDIU and Chapter 35 DEA benefits are also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depression disorder, and schizophrenia. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), gastrointestinal disability (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder) are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disability, including diagnoses of major depressive disorder, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and review of his claims, including the need for a VA mental health examination and an arthritis evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD due to new evidence added to the file.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that her current psychiatric disorders are not related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD is reopened, and the appeal is granted.