Bipolar disorder decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, right wrist, and ganglion cyst of the right wrist. The decision is based on new evidence that supports a finding of in-service onset.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 30 percent since May 15, 2012, and increased to 50 percent effective January 28, 2020. The Board granted a higher rating of 70 percent for the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder, which the Veteran contends first manifested during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD was denied as there were no pending unadjudicated claims and the August 2006 rating decision is final.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was dismissed. The Board granted a 70 percent rating for generalized anxiety disorder with bipolar disorder, but the claim of service connection for menstrual disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to incomplete records and duty-to-assist errors. The VA is required to obtain relevant SSA records, as well as provide an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are found to be at least as likely as not related to her military service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorders including depression disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder. The appeal was reopened based on new evidence received since the previous denial.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a separate and distinct sleep disorder. The Veteran's sleep symptoms are considered part of his service-connected bipolar disorder I.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition began during his active duty and continues to this day.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has found that his symptoms more closely approximate a 70 percent rating. The case is remanded for further action.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, attention deficit disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and anxiety, is considered to have resulted from events that occurred during his active military service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as evidenced by his part-time employment during the appeals period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes unspecified bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder with stimulant use disorder. The decision is based on a finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder had its onset in service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it was caused by or related to active-duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as she does not have current bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, cervical spondylosis, fibromyalgia, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder), disability manifested by atypical chest pain and breathing problems, and left shoulder disability are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records review.

The Board denied service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination for acquired psychiatric disorders, and the need for a new opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and polysubstance abuse. The case is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.