Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran lacks the mental capacity to handle his VA funds, resulting in a denial of restoration of competency.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma and bipolar disorder are being remanded due to new evidence received during her April 2023 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI was granted effective January 11, 2024. His psychiatric disorder with TBI is rated at 100% since March 13, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for a hand condition, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic neuropathy, and eye disability have been denied. The previously denied claim for bipolar disorder/depression has been readjudicated.,There is no probative evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current conditions began during service or are related to in-service events.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to a bad conduct discharge, finding that his misconduct was willful and persistent. The appeal is dismissed as he cannot establish status as a veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 14, 2020, for the grant of service connection of PTSD with bipolar II disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied. The Board found that the criteria were not met due to the Veteran filing his claim after a year from discharge. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with Bipolar II disorder and alcohol use disorder is remanded.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 1, 2016 for the award of a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Basic Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.,Prior to December 1, 2016, the Veteran's service-connected HIV infection and bipolar disorder with alcohol use disorder did not preclude his ability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. However, from December 1, 2016, his psychiatric disability rendered him unable to do so.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and hypertension have been dismissed as the AOJ has granted these conditions in full.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and sinusitis are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing their secondary nature.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection as they were likely caused by noise exposure during service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Other Specified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder with Bipolar Disorder) is also granted based on the Veteran's reported stressor of witnessing a plane crash at Pope Air Force Base.

The Board has granted the appeal for payment or reimbursement of the cost of non-VA ambulance transportation provided on August 28, 2019 to a Veteran with service-connected psychiatric disabilities. The transport was deemed necessary due to an emergency medical condition and no feasible VA facility was available.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability was initially rated at 50% prior to October 3, 2018. From October 3, 2018, to August 12, 2021, the rating was increased to 100%. The TDIU claim for this period is also granted.

Service connection is granted for left and right large toe ingrown toenails, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. Service connection for lower back condition and seborrhea and folliculitis are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, and TBI is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent as the evidence did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been granted a rating of 100 percent, the maximum schedular rating.,Service connection for insomnia is granted. The Veteran's sleep disorder is secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD with secondary alcohol abuse in remission and bipolar disorder has been dismissed as the claim is final due to the April 2024 Board decision.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, effective October 18, 2013. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted from February 17, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder and panic disorder is rated at 100% from October 14, 2005 due to total occupational and social impairment. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's PTSD, with bipolar II disorder and alcohol use disorder, is granted a 100 percent initial rating effective from the date of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of bipolar disorder has been granted, and the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed. The claim for service connection for left shoulder arthroscopic SLAP repair is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his first period of active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.