Bipolar disorder decisions — 2004

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for his service-connected schizoaffective disorder with paranoid and bipolar components. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and review the claim based on all available evidence.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and assignment of an initial 100 percent rating for a schizoaffective bipolar disorder. The Board has remanded the case to allow for further development.

The Board found that the appellant's psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and organic brain disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active duty for training. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if new evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The veteran's bipolar disorder, formerly diagnosed as major depressive disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, was rated at 50 percent from June 2, 1994, to March 27, 2002. Since then, the rating has been increased to 100 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenic/bipolar disorder, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected bipolar disorder with memory loss and multiple sclerosis with left lower extremity weakness, finding that the current evaluations were appropriate.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, as it was linked to his in-service stressors. However, Bipolar Disorder was not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including alcohol abuse and bipolar disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The lung disability also does not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board found that the appellant's character of discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits due to her AWOL offenses, which were considered willful and persistent misconduct. The appellant did not provide evidence showing she was insane at the time of her offenses.

The Board found that any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, are unrelated to the veteran's period of service.

The veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The evidence did not show any chronic condition during or after service that was related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and manic depression. The issue is now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for PTSD. The veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his active military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a bipolar disorder, which he claims developed during his military service. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain the veteran's service personnel records and ensure compliance with all VCAA notice and assistance requirements.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for bipolar disorder, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for bipolar disorder and left shoulder disability, but these issues are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.