Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder, to include depression) is evaluated at a 70 percent rating. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent as the evidence did not show total social or occupational impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status, as he is able to leave his home for medical appointments and grocery shopping.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for schizophrenia unspecified is dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn their appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma has been remanded due to new and relevant evidence received since the last final denial.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder has been granted based on new and relevant evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board denied service connection for schizoaffective disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, and bipolar disorder as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability to include bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder was improperly docketed before the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to a procedural defect, leading to its dismissal.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD and remanded the claim of secondary service connection for depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's current diagnoses include depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, bipolar type, and PTSD due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain SSA records and VA Hines Hospital records.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his service-connected other specified bipolar and related disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating or an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis. However, his PTSD prevents him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has referred the claim to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for consideration of an extraschedular rating due to marked interference with employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran lacks the mental capacity to handle his VA funds, resulting in a denial of restoration of competency.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and bipolar disorder are being remanded due to new evidence received during her April 2023 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI was granted effective January 11, 2024. His psychiatric disorder with TBI is rated at 100% since March 13, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for a hand condition, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy, and eye disability have been denied. The previously denied claim for bipolar disorder/depression has been readjudicated.,There is no probative evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current conditions began during service or are related to in-service events.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to a bad conduct discharge, finding that his misconduct was willful and persistent. The appeal is dismissed as he cannot establish status as a veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 14, 2020, for the grant of service connection of PTSD with bipolar II disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied. The Board found that the criteria were not met due to the Veteran filing his claim after a year from discharge. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with Bipolar II disorder and alcohol use disorder is remanded.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 1, 2016 for the award of a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Basic Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.,Prior to December 1, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected HIV infection and bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder did not preclude his ability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. However, from December 1, 2016, his psychiatric disability rendered him unable to do so.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and hypertension have been dismissed as the AOJ has granted these conditions in full.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing their secondary nature.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection as they were likely caused by noise exposure during service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder with Bipolar Disorder) is also granted based on the Veteran's reported stressor of witnessing a plane crash at Pope Air Force Base.

The Board has granted the appeal for payment or reimbursement of the cost of non-VA ambulance transportation provided on August 28, 2019 to a Veteran with service-connected psychiatric disabilities. The transport was deemed necessary due to an emergency medical condition and no feasible VA facility was available.