Bipolar disorder decisions — 2003

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional evidence or clarification. The case is now being reviewed by the RO, and if necessary, a VA psychiatric examination will be arranged.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder, were incurred during his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) has determined that the veteran is not competent for VA benefit purposes. The BVA also denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed bipolar disorder was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to a lack of a timely Substantive Appeal for issues related to service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. 1318, and an earlier effective date for accrued benefits.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 17, 1993 for the TDIU based on the veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder and his inability to work due to this condition.

The veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is manifested by psychiatric symptoms that are productive of total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia, as well as her requests for increased evaluations for depressive disorder. The TDIU claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that his current psychiatric disability is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and Barrett's ulceration, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected major depression and bipolar disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board found that the veteran experienced sexual trauma in service, resulting in a current psychiatric disability of PTSD with anxiety and bipolar disorder. The Board concluded that this condition was incurred as a result of active service.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance prior to December 13, 1999 due to a lack of evidence showing entitlement based on VA regulations and laws in effect at that time.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher initial rating for his epilepsy. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of his service-connected PTSD. The RO has granted him other disabilities, but the current rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to properly assess and delineate the distinctions between and interactions among mental health disabilities.

The veteran's bipolar disorder with psychotic features is determined to have originated in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of service onset or a link to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation higher than 30 percent for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type and service connection for residuals of an injury of the right hand with partial amputation of the middle finger, claimed as secondary to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder.