Bipolar disorder decisions — 2000

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and also denied his increased rating claim. The decision is final as it was not appealed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder. The Board also concluded that the veteran's bipolar disorder was incurred during his period of active service, resolving in favor of the veteran.

The Board found that the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder were not well-grounded due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors and a lack of medical nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post traumatic stress disorder, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and concluding that his bipolar disorder is more likely related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, existed prior to his entry into service. The VA examiner determined that these conditions did not worsen during service but rather represented a natural progression of the pre-existing conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence, but finds that the claim is not well grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current psychiatric findings to service.

The veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder and degenerative arthritis of the back and knee, which have rendered him unemployable.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current mixed bipolar disorder and his service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for a bipolar disorder is not well-grounded, as there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition in service or any medical nexus between military service and the current diagnosis.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 1, 1979, for a 10 percent rating for bipolar disorder was granted. The VA is now eligible to pay the veteran's attorney 20% of past-due benefits awarded due to this decision.

The Board found that the veteran's appeal to the July 1992 rating decision was timely filed and determined that his claim for service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder is well-grounded.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected bipolar disorder is granted, with a current evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of bipolar disorder due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claim is now considered on its merits.

The veteran has submitted medical evidence of a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and PTSD, which he alleges was caused by stressors in service. The Board finds that his claim is well-grounded.

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the appellant's service-connected bipolar disorder, finding that it results in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and determined that he has a current neuropsychiatric disorder related to his service, granting service connection for bipolar disorder and anxiety reaction.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another or by reason of being housebound was denied due to his nonservice-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for such benefits.