The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for bipolar disorder with cannabis use disorder is granted, effective October 24, 2021. The effective date for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than service-connected bipolar disorder with cannabis use disorder and a headache disorder is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence received after the final denial of his claims in June 2016, leading to the award of service connection for bipolar disorder with cannabis use disorder effective October 24, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar disorder with cannabis use disorder, lumbosacral strain, fibromyalgia, fatigue, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 4, 2026
- Citation
- A26010235
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26010235.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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