Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder with psychosis is granted, as it was received on November 17, 2010, which is later than when entitlement arose due to VA treatment records submitted during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type is dismissed. The appeal for an earlier effective date for DEA benefits is also dismissed as the Veteran has been granted a 100 percent combined disability rating since June 22, 2011.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and their relationship to his claimed acquired mental health conditions, including PTSD. The TBI rating is also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that there was no current psychiatric disorder at the time of the 1987 rating decision and thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's bipolar II disorder is rated at 100 percent from November 3, 2019. SMC based on a single service-connected disability with additional disabilities independently ratable at greater than 60 percent is granted from the same date. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent disabling prior to October 24, 2018 and 100 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU prior to September 27, 2011 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type with alcohol and amphetamine use disorder is denied as there are no previously filed claims that had not become final.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than persistent depressive disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to incomplete VA examination and insufficient private opinions. A new VA examination with a psychiatrist or psychologist is needed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating than 70 percent for PTSD and an earlier effective date prior to November 20, 2020 for the grant of a 100 percent rating has been dismissed as moot because both issues have already been fully granted in the September 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The claims for service connection of the respiratory condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral foot disorders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for bipolar disorder. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bipolar disorder is recognized, but there are concerns about the accuracy of the factual premise used in the VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder in sustained remission, is granted as service-connected. The VA has been ordered to provide an addendum examination for the right upper extremity neurological impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and sleep disturbances have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions separate from her service-connected major depressive disorder.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity has been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a VA medical examination addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was aggravated by service. The Veteran contends that his condition existed prior to service and was aggravated therein.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating of his service-connected psychiatric disability (PTSD with bipolar II disorder) is denied. The effective date remains February 26, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress and bipolar depression, did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, has been granted a 100% disability rating from August 11, 2017 to June 21, 2021.

The Veteran's special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound criteria was granted effective July 25, 2019. The appeal for attorney fees from past-due benefits awarded in the December 2020 rating decision is dismissed as moot due to a subsequent fee decision finding the Appellant eligible for such fees.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% rating.,The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's appeal of the evaluation for PTSD with unspecified bipolar disorder and TDIU was dismissed because the attempt to opt into the Modernized Appeal System (AMA) was untimely.