Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar I disorder, finding that new and relevant evidence had not been received related to this issue.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at a maximum of 70 percent from October 9, 2010.,The Veteran was granted TDIU effective October 9, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder due to an inadequate VA examination prior to the January 2022 rating decision. The Veteran's current service-connected conditions include PTSD, major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, active, moderate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim should be remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A new VA examination is required to evaluate the nature, onset, and etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 4, 2021 for the award of service connection for unspecified bipolar and related disorder was denied. The claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity from May 20, 2019 to May 20, 2021 were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with bipolar II disorder is granted a 100 percent evaluation, reflecting total occupational and social impairment throughout the relevant appellate period.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient information regarding when and where the Veteran's alleged in-service stressor occurred, as well as whether it was during a period of federalized active service. The claim will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his trauma and stressor related disorder and bipolar and related disorder was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so his initial disability rating for the condition remains at 70 percent.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions separate from his already service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and schizoid affective disorder. The decision finds that the pre-existing condition was aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder as there was no evidence showing the condition began during or was caused by active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The issues of entitlement to service connection for anxiety, bipolar disorder with depression, schizoaffective disorder, and degenerative disc disease are remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 10, 2020 for the award of a 70 percent rating for bipolar II disorder. The Veteran's symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to service-connected genital herpes or directly related to service.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 19, 2020, for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for bipolar disorder.,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of March 18, 2020, for the grant of a 50 percent evaluation for migraines.