Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for bipolar disorder. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bipolar disorder is recognized, but there are concerns about the accuracy of the factual premise used in the VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder in sustained remission, is granted as service-connected. The VA has been ordered to provide an addendum examination for the right upper extremity neurological impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and sleep disturbances have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions separate from her service-connected major depressive disorder.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity has been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical examination addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated by service. The Veteran contends that his condition existed prior to service and was aggravated therein.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating of his service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD with bipolar II disorder) is denied. The effective date remains February 26, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress and bipolar depression, did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, has been granted a 100% disability rating from August 11, 2017 to June 21, 2021.

The Veteran's special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound criteria was granted effective July 25, 2019. The appeal for attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded in the December 2020 rating decision is dismissed as moot due to a subsequent fee decision finding the Appellant eligible for such fees.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating.,The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's appeal of the evaluation for PTSD with unspecified bipolar disorder and TDIU was dismissed because the attempt to opt into the Modernized Appeal System (AMA) was untimely.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, and the Board found that no earlier effective dates could be granted due to continuous pursuit of the claims.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected PTSD with bipolar II disorder, as she is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and right ear hearing loss are granted as service-connected.,Right hand injury residuals are denied as not related to service.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for the Veteran's bipolar disorder and dismissed his appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 100 percent for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, bipolar II disorder and moderate cannabis use disorder, is granted. The effective date for this grant is set at August 25, 2010.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder. The appeal as to the claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU prior to August 30, 2019 are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for bipolar disorder, type II with alcohol use disorder (claimed as MDD) is granted effective February 20, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion from a clinician.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder, finding that her symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating.