Bipolar disorder decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder) are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD with schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder has been dismissed due to her withdrawal before a decision was made.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, began during active service and is granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder II and generalized anxiety disorder, is rated at 100 percent effective November 17, 2019. The decision grants the increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bipolar disorder and depression, which were aggravated by his service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, contributed substantially to his cause of death via suicide. The Board granted the claim for service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) is remanded due to the need for an aid and attendance and housebound examination, as the record suggests he may be in need of regular care.

The Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including other specified and stressor related disorder, bipolar disorder, and generalized anxiety, are found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, PTSD, MDD with psychotic features, depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder, tobacco use disorder, and psychosis are found to have begun during service or be related to in-service events. The claims for sleep disturbances and bilateral eye disabilities are remanded.

Your claim for service connection for a schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, was granted effective October 25, 2024. The appeal is dismissed as the full benefit sought has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and depression, were denied in November 2016. The effective date of the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder was December 23, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure of the AOJ to obtain an adequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bipolar disorder and substance abuse disorders are related to service, as well as failure to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

The Veteran's attempts to appeal the denial of service connection for bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression were not timely filed. The Board dismissed the appeals as the Veteran did not provide good cause for filing late.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with depression, is found to be related to his military service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and insomnia disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during service. The decision also notes that overlapping symptoms with other service-connected disabilities do not affect the determination of service connection.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent from August 26, 2019. The Board also granted a TDIU rating effective from the same date.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for further action by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of all identified acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's left wrist strain is granted service connection, with the effective date being from the date of claim (April 2024).,Service-connected schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, has been granted a 100% disability evaluation, but an earlier effective date prior to February 6, 2024, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ must request that the Veteran be scheduled for an examination to determine the probable nature and etiology of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability.