Bipolar disorder decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent from June 21, 2002 to October 12, 2004 and 60 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of bipolar-affective disorder is granted, as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused or contributed substantially or materially to cause by service-connected PTSD, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic, acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, being present in service or within the year following service discharge. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder was incurred during his active service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim and that there was no nexus between the disorders and service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected bipolar disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The veteran was assigned a 10 percent rating for each knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for bipolar disorder, including a need for clarification on whether the condition preexisted service and was aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran's current bipolar disorder is related to his in-service head injury, and that additional medical records are required. The case will be returned for further action.

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

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran suffers from PTSD due to combat participation and whether any other acquired psychiatric disorders are present. The examiner should also assess if symptoms noted in service medical records were manifestations of personality disorders.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen any of the previously denied claims, and there was insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar affective disorder, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appellant's psychiatric disorders are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Bipolar Disorder. The claim for increased rating of residuals of a right fibula fracture is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and PTSD, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, and a stomach disorder, including gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) and diverticulosis.,There is no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder or stomach disorder during active duty. The veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected right ear deafness. The examiner must provide a detailed medical opinion on these issues.