Bipolar disorder decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's other specified bipolar and related disorder, specifically whether it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of March 10, 2000 for the grant of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders including PTSD and bipolar disorder.

The Board denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating, extension of temporary total rating, service connection for anxiety and major depression, and TDIU. The claim for service connection for a right ankle condition was remanded.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and alcohol use disorder, due to inadequate evidence and need for further development of the record.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for schizoaffective disorder prior to October 21, 2021 was denied. The claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of neurobehavioral effects due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that the VA did not provide an adequate examination and failed to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar I disorder with alcohol use disorder. The decision was based on evidence showing that the veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating higher than 70% for PTSD, stating that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for several service-connected conditions, including unspecified bipolar I disorder and deviated nasal septum.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected bipolar disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a link between the Veteran's service-connected conditions, obesity, and sleep apnea.

Service connection for fibromyalgia is granted. An increased disability rating of 70 percent for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with unspecified bipolar disorder is also granted. However, an effective date earlier than October 2, 2023, for eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance is denied.

The veteran's request for a rating higher than 70% for PTSD was denied. However, the veteran was granted TDIU due to psychiatric disability alone from March 28, 2019, to October 12, 2021, and from February 14, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, finding it less likely that the condition was caused by military service.

The appeal regarding the timeliness of a request for Higher Level review was granted. The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective dates were remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent disability rating for bipolar disorder and for entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and bipolar disorder due to incomplete development.,For irritable bowel syndrome, the Veteran's lay statements will be considered along with a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder was granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder is June 4, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the condition began during active military service.

The Board remanded the issue of reasonable attorney fees based on past-due benefits granted in May 2023. The Veteran's eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees was confirmed, but the specific amount of fees needs further review.