Bipolar disorder decisions — 2022

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar I disorder with mood congruent psychotic features has been granted an initial 100 percent rating since the effective date of service connection (November 23, 2013). The decision is based on symptoms causing total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran not appearing for a VA examination and failure to provide information about medical providers. The case will be returned for further development, including scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is remanded due to the need for additional medical records from Social Security Administration.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bipolar disorder and a left hand condition due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's mental health condition is related to his friend dying by suicide, but this needs further clarification from a VA examiner. For the left hand condition, there was no notification for a scheduled examination, so another one must be arranged.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and aggravated bipolar disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from November 1, 2018. The claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied. As of November 1, 1992, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is granted as service-connected. The matter of TDIU remains pending and will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, and MDD. A VA examination is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, has been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions. The claim for PTSD was denied due to the inability to confirm a stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, and vascular dementia, as well as his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 8, 2020, for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD was granted.,Additionally, the Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 was also granted an effective date of July 31, 2019.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder with alcohol and cannabis use disorders, is rated at 70% prior to September 8, 2021. A TDIU was granted based on the combined effect of these service-connected conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including based on reopening due to new and material evidence in 1994. The Veteran's claim was initially denied in July 1995 but reopened in June 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound status is denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The claims for a right knee disorder, left knee disorder, tinnitus, and bacterial vaginosis were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include other mental health conditions and is remanding for an addendum opinion regarding whether any of these conditions, including bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and ADHD, are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding her back disability and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions were rated at 30 percent from April 29, 2010, to March 29, 2020. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were more likely caused by substance abuse rather than service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for back disability.