Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Veteran's effective date for dependency compensation for his spouse B.S. is denied as the earliest possible effective date has already been assigned due to the one-year waiting period after notification of a qualifying disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and a hip condition, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since January 29, 2021.

The Board has remanded both issues for further review. The first issue is about service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the second is about whether the appellant's discharge from service was a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and a headache disorder as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination should be scheduled to address the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sinusitis are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for scoliosis is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including a lack of VA examinations and incomplete records from the Wilmington VAMC and Long Beach VAMC.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including a lack of treatment records from the University Hospital in Birmingham and the Naval Exchange in Brooklyn. The issue is also intertwined with other issues that are currently under review.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a personality disorder and bipolar disorder are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including incomplete Social Security Administration records and lack of verification of reported in-service stressors.,,

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the claimed in-service stressors could not be verified, and there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of a verified stressor.,Service connection for Bipolar Disorder was granted as it preexisted service and was aggravated by service. The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms were noted during his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded the issue of bilateral shin splints due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeals of TDIU, a rating higher than 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder from April 6, 2011 to April 8, 2021, and effective dates prior to April 9, 2021 for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder and Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) have been withdrawn. The appeal of TDIU has been dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's mental health disability, specifically PTSD and bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder and amphetamine use disorder, was granted a higher rating of 100 percent effective February 26, 2021. The Board found that the increase in severity occurred within one year prior to this date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive and bipolar disorders, has been found to cause total occupational and social impairment since April 18, 2014. As a result, the Board granted an initial 100 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar and anxiety disorders, based on the evidence being at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active-duty military service.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder prior to June 17, 2024.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bipolar I disorder and TMJ have been denied. An effective date of October 11, 2007 has been granted for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD was granted with an effective date prior to June 15, 2016.

The appeal for service connection for unspecified personality disorder and bipolar II disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from a private psychiatrist.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD (also claimed as alcohol use disorder), is granted subject to the laws and regulations governing monetary awards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder began during his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs to provide opinions on the service connection for various acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD.