Bipolar disorder decisions — 2000

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1310 or eligibility for dependents' educational assistance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, left ankle disability, and bipolar affective disorder. The VA found that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for earlier effective dates and entitlement to disability benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, as well as his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The additional evidence provided since May 1988 did not show that the veteran's schizophrenia was incurred in or aggravated during his periods of active service.

The Board has determined that the appellant is demonstrably unable to retain employment due to his psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD. The criteria for a 100 percent rating are met under the old diagnostic code and therefore a 100 percent schedular rating is granted from the date of claim.

The veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 100% effective from February 4, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran's bipolar disorder is productive of no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The veteran's PTSD is being evaluated, but additional evidence and development are needed to determine the appropriate rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to changes in the law and missing records. The issues include seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, and an increased rating for bilateral plantar keratomas.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying in-service stressors.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a Bipolar Affective Disorder was granted, with the decision based on new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that an effective date of June 12, 2000 for the assignment of a 100% rating for bipolar disorder is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bipolar disorder was granted, with a 30 percent rating effective February 2, 1995.

The veteran's chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, was incurred in service and is now granted. The secondary service connection for a heart disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric disorders to her service and denied her claims for service connection. The rating for her urethritis was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for atherosclerotic/atherosclerotic heart disease due to lithium therapy prescribed for his bipolar disorder and for a total rating by reason of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The appeals were based on direct service connection, not involving any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether a reduction from 100% to 70% for the veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder and psychotic disorder was warranted. The decision is mixed, with some issues granting and others not.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and a right ankle disorder. The appeals were also denied regarding headaches, neurological symptoms, skin rashes, and chest pain due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection was not granted for treatment purposes of an active psychosis.

The Board has denied service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service, and the claimed stressors have not been verified. The veteran's symptoms are presumed to have developed post-service.