Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability from 100% to 70% was granted, effective May 1, 2021. The discontinuation of DEA benefits and statutory SMC(s) payments was also granted.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, lumbosacral and thoracic strain (lumbar spine disability), left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, painful motion of the left hip, limitation of flexion of the left hip, thigh impairment of the left hip, painful motion of the right hip, limitation of flexion of the right hip, left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee disability), right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee disability), and gastroesophageal reflux disease have all been denied. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU effective January 12, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date from August 28, 2020, for her acquired psychiatric condition is granted. The effective date is based on the date she submitted her Intent to File form.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a duty to assist error in verifying an in-service stressor. The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, bipolar depression, alcohol use disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and rule out major depressive disorder, are being reviewed with additional opinions on their etiology.

Your claim for service connection for unspecified bipolar disorder and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood (claimed as sleep disturbances) has been granted, but the effective date is set at July 26, 2020. The matter of service connection is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment from June 4, 2015 to July 4, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the rating for bipolar disorder, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and verifying service stressors. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, will be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for PTSD, and service connection for bipolar unspecified under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) System.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, tuberculosis, right shin splints, and left shin splints due to incomplete records from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and anxiety resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, finding new and relevant evidence to support these claims. Service connection for Depression is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran contends he was diagnosed with a psychiatric disability in service and should be granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder, was reduced from a 70% evaluation to a 100% evaluation. The Board found that the evidence demonstrated actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Bipolar Disorder and Intervertebral Disc Syndrome with Degenerative Arthritis of the Thoracolumbar Spine, have rendered him totally occupationally impaired. The Board denied his request for VR&E benefits to pursue a Doctorate degree in either Business Administration or Psychology.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a 70 percent evaluation beginning April 30, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but has remanded the case to determine if the Veteran's other psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date of June 7, 2023 for the award of a 100 percent rating for bipolar disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with cannabis use and a temporary total rating due to hospitalization were dismissed as the appeal is now moot due to the Veteran's death.