Bipolar disorder decisions — 2002

The veteran's bipolar disorder is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted due to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the March 1995 decision denying service connection was final and that the April 3, 1998 reopened claim resulted in a valid grant of service connection with an effective date of April 3, 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's overpayment of disability compensation benefits was validly created, but denied her request for a waiver due to an indication of bad faith in its creation.

The veteran's bipolar disorder, type II, is currently rated at 100 percent due to total occupational and social impairment caused by symptoms such as grossly inappropriate behavior, persistent threats of hurting self or others, continuous depression, an inability to maintain employment, impaired impulse control, and a failure to perform activities of daily life.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses are not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected major depression with psychotic features and mixed bipolar disorder has been rated at 30 percent since the onset of her claim, reflecting moderate social and industrial impairment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and bipolar disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including atypical depression and bipolar disorder, are not related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include bipolar disorder and PTSD, finding new and material evidence. The appeal is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder existed prior to service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, service connection for his psychiatric disorders is denied.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for bipolar disorder, effective November 28, 1997.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's bipolar disorder and her military service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The pre-existing condition was not aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is pending. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records and provide the veteran with a VA examination to assess his current low back and left shoulder disabilities, including their etiology and impact on his ability to work.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disability, including bipolar affective disorder and alcohol dependence, did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge. The Board also found no evidence of a personality disorder for VA compensation purposes.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The veteran's claims were remanded to determine the relationship between his disorders and service.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD, finding that the veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there was no verified stressor related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, incurred in or aggravated by service.

The VA has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine, effective December 1997. The claim for secondary service connection for bipolar disorder is also granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bipolar disorder, but it is not clear whether service connection will be granted as the issue remains pending.