Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type) with panic disorder and insomnia was granted, effective from May 8, 2020. The decision is based on the merits of the case without any presumption or reopening due to new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and PTSD, is rated at 70 percent since December 29, 2016.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, is related to his military service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's statements about his experiences in Southwest Asia are not adequately considered.

The Veteran's TBI residuals with memory loss and dizziness are rated at 70 percent, but his bipolar disorder, PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and cannabis use disorder remain at their maximum schedular ratings of 100 percent. The appeal is denied as the claim for increased rating has not met the criteria.

The Veteran's claim for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at the maximum rate of 100% is granted because he was discharged from active service due to a service-connected disability after serving more than 30 consecutive days.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status for the Veteran, who is currently rated at 70 percent for bipolar disorder and has additional disabilities rated at 100 percent under a combined schedular rating. The decision also considers his TDIU as a Bradley TDIU due to his mental health condition.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders are all considered to be in the 'unknown' status as they have not been addressed yet.,Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to deficiencies in the VA medical opinions obtained during the review process. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the severity of the appellant's disabilities, including those related to Poland's syndrome, right shoulder strain, foot disabilities, hand disabilities, and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, with obsessive compulsive disorder, dissociative identity disorder, bipolar disorder and chronic depression was denied. The Board found that the disability picture did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70 percent prior to June 2, 2020.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD, bipolar II disorder, and persistent depressive disorder with traumatic brain injury have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date and service connection were dismissed due to concurrent elections under the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017.

The rating reduction for bipolar disorder from 100 percent to 70 percent, effective July 1, 2022, was improper and the 100 percent rating is restored.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized non-VA medical care provided on December 23, 2020. The care was emergent and delayed treatment would have been hazardous to his health. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were aggravated by this emergency care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar I disorder began during service and is related to his military service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for atypical bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to an assault during basic training in 1980. The decision is based on credible evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is rated at 100 percent, effective February 25, 2013. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and the request for an earlier effective date are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with opiate use disorder and aggravated bipolar disorder required hospital treatment in a VA facility for more than 21 days from May 12, 2020, to June 22, 2020. The Board granted the temporary total disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29.