Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, hypertension secondary to bipolar disorder, and left knee disability have been granted. The rating for low back strain with degenerative arthritis has been increased from 10% to 20%. Other issues are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bipolar disorder, hypertension, and left hip strain are granted. The claim for left hip strain is remanded due to a lack of an opinion regarding its aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder prior to March 15, 2021 is denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection remains September 18, 2012.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for bipolar disorder II with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder was denied. The compensable hearing loss claim was also denied. Service connection for a peripheral vestibular disorder was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for bipolar disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's right ear scar is not productive of characteristics of disfigurement, visible or palpable tissue loss, or gross distortion or asymmetry. The claim for a compensable rating for the right ear scar is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder prior to October 14, 2020, is denied. The claims for TDIU and effective date prior to October 14, 2020, for the grant of eligibility to DEA are remanded.

The Veteran is granted an increased initial rating of 100 percent for bipolar disorder, effective May 12, 2014. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the grant of the higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with bipolar mood disorder, finding that the earliest possible date for a claim was October 30, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to 'bad drugs' received from VA treatment is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his acquired psychiatric disorders were caused by VA care.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression, immature personality, transient situational (claimed as manic depressive/bipolar disorder and anxiety) has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder type 2 to include other specified personality disorder with alcohol use disorder is granted a disability rating of 100 percent from June 19, 2018 to October 9, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's unspecified bipolar and related disorder, as well as her PTSD with secondary MDD, both of which are found to have onset during her period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and are linked to an in-service sexual assault.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and polysubstance abuse disorders. The claims are remanded for additional development to obtain military personnel records, updated treatment records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with bipolar I disorder in full remission prior to September 26, 2023, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter has been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, increased rating for left knee limitation of flexion, and initial compensable disability rating for hypertension are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

An initial rating of 50 percent for bipolar disorder with anxious distress (previously rated as major depressive disorder with anxiety and alcohol use disorder, in partial remission; claimed as depression) is granted from May 1, 2018, through August 8, 2018.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for migraines prior to August 6, 2019, is denied. A rating of 50 percent for migraines as of August 6, 2019, is granted.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 22, 2016 for the award of retroactive payment of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to the Veteran's daughter enrolling in a qualifying educational facility on that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for obstructive sleep apnea and bipolar disorder, as well as earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for these conditions.