Bipolar disorder decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and duty-to-assist errors. The issues include bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, left knee septic condition as secondary to bullous disorder/hypertrophic keloid scars, acquired psychiatric disorders, high blood pressure, arthritis of the lower extremities, degenerative disc disease of the low back, and jaw/speech impairment.

The Veteran's rating for bipolar/adjustment disorder with depressed features was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent effective June 1, 2021. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from service, while not an honorable discharge, does not preclude him from receiving VA education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill due to his established service connection for a mental health condition.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and unspecified trauma-and stressor-related disorder, are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The appeal for these claims is granted.

The June 24, 1982 rating decision denied service connection for a mental disorder. The Veteran's claim was reopened in 1993 and granted with a 100% rating effective April 30, 2014. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date based on CUE.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a complete copy of all records related to his application for VA loan guaranty benefits, including decisions and notifications from the VA or received by him.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to have been incurred during military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to a duty to assist error and potential extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder with opioid dependence. The VA must provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and effective dates related to various mental health conditions. The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed before the claims can be decided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a violation of his due process rights regarding notification of his right to an administrative hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for compliance with the directives in the Joint Motion for Remand (JMR).

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that the weight gain caused by PTSD led to the development of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for bipolar I disorder with depressed mood and anxiety disorder is granted as of February 2, 2019.,The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is also granted.

The Veteran's non-initial compensable rating for bipolar disorder is denied as his symptoms are not severe enough to interfere with occupational and social functioning or require continuous medication.

The Board has restored a 100% rating for PTSD with unspecified bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder, effective December 1, 2021, as the reduction in rating was invalid.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and adjustment disorder with depression. The claim is based on the Veteran's in-service symptoms and post-service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to obtain more information about the Veteran's in-service stressor and conduct further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service connection for OSA is granted, while the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, secondary to PTSD, was denied. The claim for an increased rating for tuberculosis with chest pain and dyspnea from June 3, 2020, was also denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding several rating issues, including those related to psychiatric disorder and GERD. The Board dismissed these appeals.