Bipolar disorder decisions — 2003

The Board is remanding the case for additional development due to procedural errors and incomplete evidence, including a failure to consider new VCAA requirements.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, but granted service connection for a psychosis (presumed to be bipolar I disorder) based on new and material evidence. The veteran's psychiatric issues are presumed to have been caused by his military service.

The veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Arthritis of the hands, hips, and left shoulder was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and additional medical evaluations are needed. The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of closed head injury and bipolar disorder will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to May 10, 1995, and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent as of or since May 10, 1995.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his single disability rated at 70% and lack of substantial confinement to his dwelling.

The veteran was granted a 100 percent evaluation for bipolar disorder effective from August 17, 1999. The appeal is about seeking an earlier effective date.

The VA has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder with history of psychosis does not warrant a higher evaluation since November 7, 1996.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, and PTSD. The evidence now shows that these conditions may have developed during or shortly after the veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder. The opinion from the VA psychiatrist indicated that it is at least as likely as not that any current chronic psychiatric disability (other than a personality disorder) did not have its onset in service and is not the direct result of the appellant's period of active duty.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues related to the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and the VCAA. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, was incurred in service.

The veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 100% effective from November 19, 1999. From June 20, 1991 to November 19, 1999, the disability was rated at 70%. The Board found that the current level of impairment warranted a higher rating.

The veteran's schizophrenia with bipolar features is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and has been granted a 100 percent evaluation due to total social and occupational impairment.

The veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 7, 1992. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting bipolar disorder was aggravated during service, and therefore grants service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for Bipolar II disorder, i.e., recurrent, major depressive episodes with hypomanic episodes, finding that the current condition is related to a disease or injury during active peacetime service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of a definitive diagnosis or diagnoses of all psychiatric pathology present, and will consider the January 2003 VA examination report.

The veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder results in total social and occupational impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation.