Bipolar disorder decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is manifested by some depression and anxiety, impulsivity, some disturbance of sleep patterns, anger and irritability, resulting in no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The criteria for entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder have not been met.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder caused his alcoholism, which in turn led to liver failure and death. Therefore, the veteran is entitled to burial benefits due to cause of death.

The veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder was temporarily rated at 100 percent from April 27, 1983 to July 1, 1983. After that period, the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the condition prior to April 17, 1987.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder is denied. The evidence does not support a finding that his current mental disability, which includes bipolar disorder and personality disorders, was incurred during or related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an active psychosis within two years following her discharge from service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disabilities, particularly including bipolar disorder. The veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not competent to handle disbursement of VA funds due to his mental health conditions, specifically schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder and determined that his preexisting condition was aggravated during military service.

The Board denied service connection for major depression and bipolar disorder on a primary and secondary basis. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was granted, resulting in a 100% rating. The issue of TDIU is moot due to the grant of a higher disability rating.

The veteran's bipolar disorder was found to have preexisted service and did not increase in severity or worsen during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder and premenstrual syndrome with pain both began during active service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and his petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD were denied. The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for alcohol/substance abuse was also denied due to the statute prohibiting compensation benefits for primary alcohol abuse.

The Board has granted a 100% disability rating for bipolar disorder effective February 27, 1995, based on the veteran's unemployability due to service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chloracne, cardiovascular disability, bipolar disorder, PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and lower extremity disabilities, as they are not shown to be related to Agent Orange exposure or any other basis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims due to changes in the law.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and a higher evaluation for her bipolar disorder, which was granted in March 1994.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and bronchitis, to include asthma. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's current mild bronchitis with an asthmatic component is related to his in-service disease.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder, currently rated at 30 percent, does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to symptoms such as depressed mood and anxiety.

The Board has determined that the reduction from a 50% to a 30% disability rating for bipolar disorder with schizophrenic features was not proper, and has assigned a 100% evaluation based on the veteran's severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.