Bipolar disorder decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa and borderline personality disorder. The claim for an increased evaluation of urethritis was also denied.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's bipolar disorder and for a higher evaluation of his low back disability. The veteran needs to provide additional medical records, and he should be scheduled for an examination to determine if his current bipolar disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability and bipolar disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for an increased rating for bipolar disorder was not timely appealed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of clear and unmistakable error in the June 15, 1982 and May 20, 1983 rating decisions that granted service connection for bipolar disorder with specific disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and evaluated the PTSD as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service.,Prior to October 25, 1996, the right knee disability was not manifested by severe impairment. From October 25, 1996 onwards, it was found to have mild impairment.,Tinea versicolor has resolved and no longer requires treatment.,Tinea pedis also resolved and does not require a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and schizoaffective disorders, existed prior to service and did not undergo an increase in severity during service. The claim for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of current diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 31, 1995 for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder with psychosis was denied as there is no new and material evidence to support a previous denial.

The Board has determined that the veteran's unsatisfactory conduct and cooperation in developing and implementing his Rehabilitation Plan have rendered him ineligible for vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, due to lack of evidence showing a link between her current condition and military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to verify the veteran's claimed in-service stressor and determine if he meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD.

The Board has granted a 50% rating for bipolar disorder effective May 2, 2000 and granted an increased rating to 70% effective March 22, 2002. The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head injury is pending.

The veteran's initial ratings for bipolar disorder and bronchitis have been granted. The veteran is entitled to a compensable rating for his left ankle fracture, effective March 29, 2004. His claim of entitlement to separate 10 percent ratings for tinnitus in each ear lacks legal merit. He is not entitled to a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder claims are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or in the years following service.,Service connection for missing teeth has been established, but it is only for compensation purposes.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disability in service or within one year post-service, and concluded that the veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, and major depressive disorder are all service-connected. The bipolar disorder claim is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, as well as denial of DIC benefits and nonservice-connected pension benefits. The immediate cause of the veteran's death was arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.