Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, with obsessive compulsive disorder, dissociative identity disorder, bipolar disorder and chronic depression was denied. The Board found that the disability picture did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 70 percent prior to June 2, 2020.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD, bipolar II disorder, and persistent depressive disorder with traumatic brain injury have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date and service connection were dismissed due to concurrent elections under the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017.

The rating reduction for bipolar disorder from 100 percent to 70 percent, effective July 1, 2022, was improper and the 100 percent rating is restored.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized non-VA medical care provided on December 23, 2020. The care was emergent and delayed treatment would have been hazardous to his health. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were aggravated by this emergency care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar I disorder began during service and is related to his military service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for atypical bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to an assault during basic training in 1980. The decision is based on credible evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is rated at 100 percent, effective February 25, 2013. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and the request for an earlier effective date are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with opiate use disorder and aggravated bipolar disorder required hospital treatment in a VA facility for more than 21 days from May 12, 2020, to June 22, 2020. The Board granted the temporary total disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to provide a VA medical examination and obtain relevant Social Security Administration records, as these are necessary for proper adjudication of the service connection claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination to differentiate between service-connected and nonservice-connected psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bunion left foot and psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to errors in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent rating for bipolar and generalized anxiety disorders from February 27, 2012 to April 20, 2018 is granted. The issue of total disability based on individual unemployability prior to April 20, 2018 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran is granted a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected bipolar disorder from June 12, 2013 due to severe symptoms including suicidal ideations and hallucinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected bipolar disorder and migraine headaches due to incomplete and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates on direct basis for service connection for depression and bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder, as well as Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The motion for revision of the August 27, 2015, Rating Decision is also being remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 70 percent rating for bipolar disorder has been granted, effective from December 6, 2007. The decision also grants entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate VA medical examination and opinion. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, was granted service connection on the basis that it manifested during active duty.