Bipolar disorder decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and stomach disability were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims of acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disability.

The Board found that the appellant's bipolar disorder existed before her active service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, she is granted service connection for bipolar disorder.

The veteran's competency to handle VA benefits was found to be incompetent due to his service-connected bipolar disorder, and he is rated at 100% for this condition.

The veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted based on his symptoms of panic attacks, depression, irritability, anger, social isolation, and difficulty at work.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bipolar disorder. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of his condition and whether it is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's schizophrenia had its onset during active military service and grants service connection for this condition. Other psychiatric disorders are not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left elbow disorder, service connection for bipolar disorder, and a TDIU. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and depression, is related to her military service. The case will be remanded for further development of inpatient and outpatient treatment records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right lower leg disability contributed substantially and materially to his death from a bowel infarction. Service connection for the cause of the veteran's death is granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder and polycystic ovary syndrome. The decision also confirmed a 10% evaluation for endometriosis.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, including recent medical records indicating diagnoses of OCD and bipolar disorder. The issue of whether his PTSD claim should be granted remains pending.

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

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability did not cause or contribute to his death due to a fractured cervical spine resulting from an automobile accident. The VA medical opinion concluded that the veteran's alcohol abuse was not as likely as not related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to incomplete information regarding the appellant's periods of active service. The appellant is asked to provide any relevant evidence and for the VA to verify his military service, specifically including his duty status between August 12-22, 1987.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, found no evidence of a heart disability due to VA treatment, and determined that the appellant's service-connected right knee conditions do not meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a TDIU rating.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, warranting a rating of 30 percent. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 6, 1986, for a 100% rating for his service-connected bipolar disorder with anxiety.

The Board has determined that further development is needed due to the lack of specific information regarding stressful events in service and potential errors in diagnosis. The case will be remanded for additional efforts to locate relevant records and a comprehensive psychiatric examination.

The veteran claims his current acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as a schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, was initially manifested during service. The VA has not provided sufficient evidence to determine the etiology of his condition.