Bipolar disorder decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD disability has prevented him from maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a TDIU based solely on his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression have been denied. The appeal for a compensable evaluation for sinusitis has been dismissed due to the AOJ's deferred decision. The appeal for service connection for vertigo is remanded as it may be related to hypertension. The appeal for an evaluation greater than 20 percent for cervical strain is also remanded. The appeal for service connection for insomnia is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder and TDIU is denied as there was no pending claim at the time these benefits were granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of bipolar disorder, including TDIU and SMC benefits, was granted. Attorney J.M.W., Agent A.W.G., and Attorney P.F. are eligible to fees based on the past-due benefits awarded in the February 2024 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claim for an initial disability rating higher than 50 percent for bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bipolar disorder with cannabis use disorder is granted, effective October 24, 2021. The effective date for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than service-connected bipolar disorder with cannabis use disorder and a headache disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and no rating decision or service connection determination was made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder was granted with a 100% rating effective January 9, 2023. The award is based on the addition of service personnel records that provided evidence linking the conditions to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to fatal cardiac dysrhythmia, with underlying causes of severe hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The appellant claimed that the Veteran first incurred bipolar disorder during service. The Board found in favor of the appellant, granting service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has granted an effective date of January 22, 2019 for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms and manifestations caused total occupational and social impairment throughout the one year prior period.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as he is already receiving the maximum available rating. The appeal for TDIU is also dismissed because the grant of TDIU would not assist in meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation due to his 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder with PTSD has rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since June 22, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Mood Disorder due to a lack of credible in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar I disorder, is denied as there is no evidence connecting these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder to include bipolar II disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for sinusitis is granted and effective from August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's eyesight disability claim was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal during the May 2024 Board hearing.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, was denied due to lack of evidence linking any current mental health condition to service or a period of ACDUTRA. The Veteran's claim is based on his belief that he experienced trauma during service, but the Board found no credible supporting evidence for specific in-service stressors.,Service connection for arthritis of the right hand and fingers was denied as there was no evidence linking the condition to service or a period of ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bipolar disorder and the proposed reduction of PTSD disability rating from 50 percent to 30 percent has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's adopted daughter, S., is recognized as a helpless child due to her permanent incapacity for self-support prior to reaching the age of 18 based on her severe mental health conditions and inability to support herself.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, to include anxiety and depression, should be remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination prior to making a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to a duty to assist error, and will consider any additional evidence submitted when the claim is readjudicated.