Bipolar disorder decisions — 2002

The Board has granted an effective date of February 19, 1974 for the award of service connection for bipolar affective disorder. The veteran's claim was reopened in February 1974 and his application to reopen was received by VA on February 19, 1974.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and dysthymic disorder are all service-connected. The decision is based on new evidence submitted after the original denial of these conditions.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder is related to her military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on August 31, 1998 were reimbursed as the treatment was for a nonservice-connected disability associated with and aggravating her service-connected ankle disorder, there was a medical emergency such that delay would have been hazardous to life or health, and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, is granted. The claims for PTSD and low back disorder are denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the claim that a psychiatric disorder, including chronic bipolar disorder, was incurred in or aggravated by service. The appellant's service medical records showed he had a personality disorder prior to discharge from active duty.

The veteran's bipolar disorder was initially granted service connection and rated at 30 percent from January 22, 1993. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating for the period up to October 19, 1999, but as of October 20, 1999, it warranted a 100 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a bipolar disorder, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board found that the veteran's bipolar affective disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and is not shown to be otherwise related to service. The condition began after service, likely due to substance abuse.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bipolar disorder, finding no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, finding that there was no evidence showing the condition was incurred during or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric disability, which includes diagnoses of bipolar affective disorder, agoraphobia with panic attacks, and atypical psychosis. The Board also found that these conditions had their onset during the veteran's active military service.

The VA determined that the appellant's bipolar disorder is currently manifested by no more than depressed mood, chronic sleep impairment, and complaints of mild memory loss. Therefore, it assigned a 30 percent evaluation for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder does not warrant a disability rating greater than 50 percent, and his claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder originated during his active military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, thoracic spine disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder as not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and increased evaluations for residuals of a head injury and lumbar strain with spondylolysis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the claimant's preexisting psychiatric disability, diagnosed as chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia, was not aggravated during his brief period of active service. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as schizophrenia, clearly and unmistakably preexisted her entry into military service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection is denied.