Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized by persistent delusions, grossly inappropriate behavior, and intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, is rated at 100 percent from November 30, 2017. The Board also granted SMC HB effective September 18, 2022.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for bipolar I disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the reduction was not proper due to a lack of sustained improvement in his disability.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for bipolar I disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the reduction was not proper due to a lack of sustained improvement in his disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder. The AOJ is required to obtain SSA records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board awarded service connection for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Alcohol and Drug Dependence effective April 15, 2013, based on new evidence provided in the Veteran's service personnel records.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a disability rating of 70 percent from May 26, 2015, forward.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD, bipolar II disorder, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was dismissed due to a duplicate docket number.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, asthma, and right wrist osteoarthritis are all granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is established based on evidence showing its onset during active duty. Service connection for asthma is also established as it had its onset during active duty. Right wrist osteoarthritis is causally related to military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, who was the surviving spouse of the Veteran. The claims for earlier effective dates are not considered in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder with psychosis is granted, as it was received on November 17, 2010, which is later than when entitlement arose due to VA treatment records submitted during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type is dismissed. The appeal for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits is also dismissed as the Veteran has been granted a 100 percent combined disability rating since June 22, 2011.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and their relationship to his claimed acquired mental health conditions, including PTSD. The TBI rating is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that there was no current psychiatric disorder at the time of the 1987 rating decision and thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's bipolar II disorder is rated at 100 percent from November 3, 2019. SMC based on a single service-connected disability with additional disabilities independently ratable at greater than 60 percent is granted from the same date. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent disabling prior to October 24, 2018 and 100 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU prior to September 27, 2011 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type with alcohol and amphetamine use disorder is denied as there are no previously filed claims that had not become final.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than persistent depressive disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to incomplete VA examination and insufficient private opinions. A new VA examination with a psychiatrist or psychologist is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating than 70 percent for PTSD and an earlier effective date prior to November 20, 2020 for the grant of a 100 percent rating has been dismissed as moot because both issues have already been fully granted in the September 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection of the respiratory condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disorders are remanded.