Bipolar disorder decisions — 2000

The veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is productive of severe impairment in social and industrial adaptability, warranting a 70 percent rating under the old criteria. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's duodenal ulcer with hiatal hernia warrants a 20 percent evaluation, and his non-service-connected psychiatric conditions (bipolar disorder - depressive disorder and PTSD) warrant a combined 50 percent evaluation. The veteran is therefore not entitled to an increased evaluation for his duodenal ulcer or a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that his claim was not well-grounded.

The Board has assigned a 100% rating for the service-connected bipolar disorder, effective from August 27, 2000. The veteran's bipolar disorder is found to be productive of total social and industrial inadaptability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is well grounded and grants the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bipolar disorder was not warranted, as there was no clear and unmistakable error in the denial of his original claim in 1985.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, finding that there was no competent medical evidence showing a causal relationship between his current psychiatric condition and military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for PTSD with bipolar disorder, a bilateral hearing loss disability, and tension/vascular headaches.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, bipolar disorder, and right carpal tunnel syndrome. However, none of these claims are well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type is related to his period of military service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found the veteran's Bipolar Disorder well grounded. The decision also notes that the bipolar disorder claim is pending as it was reopened on new evidence.

The veteran's combined rating for non-service-connected disabilities is 60%, which does not meet the requirement of a 100% schedular evaluation or at least one disability with a minimum 40% rating. Therefore, he is not entitled to a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking any current diagnosed condition to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the condition is directly related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's bipolar disorder rating from 100% to 10% was not proper, and thus denied the appeal.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD and concluded that the veteran's symptoms are better explained by Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed PTSD was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a nervous disorder to include bipolar disorder is not well grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence associating these conditions with military service.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, finding that his disability picture more closely approximates that contemplated by a 70 percent evaluation.

The VA denied the claim for service connection of bipolar disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking the current diagnosis to service.