Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased rating for left shoulder disability, and compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since December 15, 2010. The Board grants a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain with instability and effusion, right knee strain with instability and effusion, lumbosacral strain, and PTSD with bipolar II disorder and alcohol use disorder. The decision also denied entitlement to total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for PTSD and has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The March 2024 rating decision granted a 100% disability rating for PTSD with unspecified bipolar and related disorder effective December 4, 2023. The decision also denied other issues including increased ratings for left ankle and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of adequate examination. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression) and a right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied service connection for epilepsy and a low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 22, 2021, for the award of service connection for PTSD with bipolar I disorder is granted.,The issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the December 1, 1998 rating decision denying service connection for schizoaffective disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a bilateral hearing loss disability are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The Board will consider all theories of entitlement, including noise exposure during service, harassment from supervisors, and the relationship between tinnitus and mental health conditions.

Your claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder has been fully granted, effective from August 24, 2015. There is no additional benefit to be awarded.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims will not be reconsidered until a person eligible for substitution files a request within one year of the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) based on a finding that it is at least as likely as not that the condition began within one year of his discharge from active service, and may be presumed related to service due to psychotic symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, memory loss, and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression and psychotic features is rated at 100 percent effective November 5, 2017, due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), and alcohol and substance abuse disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service onset or relationship to service.,Service connection was denied as there was no persuasive evidence linking any current disabilities to active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his eligibility for the Program for Comprehensive Assistance for Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to inadequate notice and compliance with regulatory requirements. The Board will adjudicate whether he meets criteria for personal care services, best interests of participation, and other pertinent criteria.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the left true vocal cord is granted as service-connected, with a grant of an earlier effective date to April 26, 2023.,Service connection for bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder in sustained remission is also granted, effective August 24, 2023.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the allocation of attorney fees from an award of past-due compensation benefits for service-connected bipolar disorder. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate rating for TBI residuals, finding that his symptoms are already accounted for under other diagnostic codes and that combining the service-connected conditions is consistent with VA policy.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors, including a lack of supporting data in the CEAT review and an incomplete denial letter.