Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 13, 2009 for the grant of service connection for unspecified bipolar disorder is granted. The appeal regarding the earlier effective date for pseudofolliculitis barbae is dismissed as it was a freestanding claim and not part of the main appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with major depression caused total occupational and social impairment from June 22, 2016 to April 22, 2021. Effective June 22, 2016, the Veteran is granted a 100% disability rating for his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent evaluation of bipolar disorder with insomnia disorder and residuals of traumatic brain injury (previously rated as organic brain syndrome) is being remanded due to incomplete evidence in the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, previously claimed as depression and bipolar disorder, have been dismissed due to the procedural history indicating a final denial of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand both claims for further examination and opinion, as the VA examinations were inadequate and conflicting.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been found to meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating, effective June 4, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA. The Board also requested an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's effective date for dependency compensation for his spouse B.S. is denied as the earliest possible effective date has already been assigned due to the one-year waiting period after notification of a qualifying disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and a hip condition, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since January 29, 2021.

The Board has remanded both issues for further review. The first issue is about service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the second is about whether the appellant's discharge from service was a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and a headache disorder as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination should be scheduled to address the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and service connection for sinusitis are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for scoliosis is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including a lack of VA examinations and incomplete records from the Wilmington VAMC and Long Beach VAMC.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including a lack of treatment records from the University Hospital in Birmingham and the Naval Exchange in Brooklyn. The issue is also intertwined with other issues that are currently under review.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a personality disorder and bipolar disorder are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including incomplete Social Security Administration records and lack of verification of reported in-service stressors.,,

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied because the claimed in-service stressors could not be verified, and there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of a verified stressor.,Service connection for Bipolar Disorder was granted as it preexisted service and was aggravated by service. The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms were noted during his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded the issue of bilateral shin splints due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeals of TDIU, a rating higher than 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder from April 6, 2011 to April 8, 2021, and effective dates prior to April 9, 2021 for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder and Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) have been withdrawn. The appeal of TDIU has been dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's mental health disability, specifically PTSD and bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder and amphetamine use disorder, was granted a higher rating of 100 percent effective February 26, 2021. The Board found that the increase in severity occurred within one year prior to this date.