Bipolar disorder decisions — 2023

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is related to his time in active service and has been granted service connection. The issues of service connection for intracerebral hemorrhage, headaches, aortic valve disorder, and sleep condition are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected bipolar disorder is denied as the evidence does not show that her symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for a 70% or 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, the highest available under the General Formula for Mental Disorders (General Formula), Diagnostic Code 9432. The Board found that his symptoms of impaired impulse control, neglect of self-care, and suicidal ideation more closely approximated the level of impairment required for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and its relationship to service. The Veteran asserts that his current psychiatric conditions are related to his active duty, including stressors from Basic Training.

The Veteran's appeal to reduce her rating for bipolar I disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder from 100% to 70% was dismissed because she withdrew the appeal before a hearing could be scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection is not addressed as it does not pertain to the merits of the case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IBS and dysthymic disorder were denied due to failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without providing good cause.,Service connection claims for cardiovascular, bipolar, and PTSD disorders were also denied as the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

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.