Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA medical examination and obtain relevant Social Security Administration records, as these are necessary for proper adjudication of the service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination to differentiate between service-connected and nonservice-connected psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bunion left foot and psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to errors in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for bipolar and generalized anxiety disorders from February 27, 2012 to April 20, 2018 is granted. The issue of total disability based on individual unemployability prior to April 20, 2018 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected bipolar disorder from June 12, 2013 due to severe symptoms including suicidal ideations and hallucinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bipolar disorder and migraine headaches due to incomplete and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates on direct basis for service connection for depression and bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder, as well as Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The motion for revision of the August 27, 2015, Rating Decision is also being remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 70 percent rating for bipolar disorder has been granted, effective from December 6, 2007. The decision also grants entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate VA medical examination and opinion. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, was granted service connection on the basis that it manifested during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD due to MST and secondary Bipolar Disorder was granted with a rating of 100% effective from August 1, 2012. An earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and bipolar II disorder are granted a 70 percent disability rating. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bipolar disorder prior to November 17, 2023, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder was initially denied in 2009, but was later granted with an effective date of March 17, 2016. The Board has now determined that the earlier effective date should be March 19, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder has been denied. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bipolar I disorder, most recent episode depressed was granted on September 23, 2020. The Veteran requested a time limit extension due to the coronavirus pandemic and argued that his application should be considered as filed on August 8, 2019.

The rating reduction from a 70 percent rating to a 50 percent rating for bipolar II disorder and cannabis use disorder effective July 1, 2022 was proper. The appeal is therefore denied. Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and TDIU was denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in his PTSD during the one-year lookback period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the case before a decision was made.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 50 percent effective December 15, 2017. The claim for a higher rating is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating prior to September 28, 2021.