Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring further medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection was dismissed because he withdrew his appeal, requesting to withdraw the claim while it was in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and duty-to-assist errors, specifically regarding the Veteran's claimed bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD related to military sexual trauma, is found to be related to his active service. His hypertension is also being examined as it may be secondary to his psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, earlier effective dates, and disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions regarding his psychiatric, neuropathy, and balance issues.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type) due to persistent psychiatric symptoms that resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar radiculopathy, low back pain, spinal stenosis, and bipolar disorder, require regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders. The examiner did not apply the correct evidentiary standard when determining whether the Veteran's diagnosed schizoaffective disorder was due to a preexisting condition, and his nexus opinion is incomplete and legally inaccurate.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, finding that it had its onset during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, bipolar II disorder, and major depressive disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported in-service personal assaults and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, insomnia, and personality disorder. The most probative evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for bipolar disorder from September 9, 2015 to July 31, 2022 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder from August 1, 2022 and forward was also denied. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity scar, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, diagnosed as bipolar I disorder), allergic rhinitis, chronic gastrointestinal disability, and anemia. The case is remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's migraines did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to April 26, 2022 due to infrequent prostrating attacks.,For the period beginning on April 26, 2022, the Veteran's migraines did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent as they did not meet the criteria for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Board remands the matter of entitlement to service connection for bipolar I disorder due to a need for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and a new VA medical addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether S.R. was permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to her psychiatric disabilities, and thus grants recognition as a helpless child.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to November 8, 2021 for a 100 percent disability rating for his service-connected psychiatric disorders was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right hand is granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and gastrointestinal disorder are remanded.