Bipolar disorder decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, that is linked to his military service. The Board found no evidence of such disabilities within one year post-service and concluded that any present conditions are not related to service.

The VA has granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected bipolar disorder effective from September 20, 1998.

The veteran's bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are manifested by considerable impairment of social and industrial adaptation, with flattened affect, circumstantial speech, and impaired judgment. These symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation under the current rating criteria.

The veteran's bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are manifested by considerable impairment of social and industrial adaptation, with flattened affect, circumstantial speech, and impaired judgment. These symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation under the current rating criteria.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for anxiety neurosis, effective from the date of the initial reduction. The claim for entitlement to total rating for compensation purposes based upon individual unemployability is moot as the veteran's disability rating was restored.

The Board has determined that the effective date for a 50 percent rating for bipolar disorder should be November 8, 1991.

The case is being returned to the RO for further development and readjudication of the issues regarding a rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder, mixed type and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for a higher rating for bipolar disorder and entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bipolar disorder began during active service and grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar affective disorder, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of well-groundedness.

The appellant's bipolar disorder is related to an in-service head injury and has been granted service connection. The dental and eye disorders are pending as their etiology remains unclear.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on February 21, 2000 due to lack of prior authorization and failure to meet the criteria for reimbursement.

The VA has determined that the appellant did not incur bipolar disorder with psychotic features as a result of his active military service and denied both his claim for service connection and his TDIU rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bipolar disorder, finding that a 30 percent evaluation was appropriate from August 20, 1990, through November 30, 1998. The claim for an increased rating since December 1, 1998, was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for an increased rating for his fractured fingers and service connection for his psychiatric disorder were both denied. The Board found no chronic residuals of the fractures, no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder, and insufficient medical nexus between military service and any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder preexisted service and was aggravated by active duty, thus granting entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with bipolar disorder, finding credible supporting evidence that the veteran's in-service stressors occurred. The issue of TDIU is deferred pending completion of development related to PTSD.