Bipolar disorder decisions — 2000

The Board has granted a 70 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, effective from April 7, 1997.

The Board has restored the veteran's disability rating for his bipolar disorder from 30% to 50%, finding that the reduction was not warranted and that there was insufficient evidence of improvement in his condition.

The veteran's bipolar disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment due to persistent delusions and hallucinations, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected bipolar disorder, finding that he did not meet the schedular criteria and that his disability did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the March 1987 rating decision denying service connection for a nervous disorder did not contain clear and unmistakable error. The claim for an earlier effective date for bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and attention deficit disorder was denied as there were no claims filed in the intervening years.

The veteran's bipolar disorder with a history of anxiety neurosis and drug abuse prior to November 9, 1993 resulted in severe impairment in his ability to obtain or retain employment.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and/or a bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence did not show a psychosis within one year of service or any nexus between current psychiatric disability and service.

The veteran's bipolar illness with acute manic episodes is currently rated at 50 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms of social withdrawal and occasional manic episodes.

The VA has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected PTSD with bipolar disorder, effective as of May 1999.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred during his December 4 to December 6, 1996 hospitalization at Saint Agnes Medical Center were granted as he had a permanent total compensation rating due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected schizophrenic reaction disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a comprehensive VA psychiatric examination.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 14, 1995, for a 100 percent evaluation for his bipolar disorder is denied. The available evidence does not show that the disability had increased in severity before this date.

The veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted.

The Board found adequate evidence to justify reducing the veteran's disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent for bipolar disorder, which was clinically described as 'moderate' with definite impairment in industrial and social adaptability.

The Board granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD effective August 1, 1985. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, an increased evaluation of his PTSD, and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The decision was based on new evidence that reopened the claim for PTSD.

The Board has granted a higher evaluation of 40 percent for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, effective April 10, 1997. The bipolar disorder with psychotic features is also rated at 30 percent, effective April 10, 1997.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and polysubstance abuse as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD, effective August 27, 1996.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for intermittent lumbosacral strain, shin splints, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including chronic schizoaffective-type schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). The claim for eligibility for VA medical care based on service connection for chronic schizoaffective-type schizophrenia was also denied.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for a nervous disorder.