Bipolar disorder decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizotypal personality disorder, finding that while he had a pre-existing personality disorder, his current mental health conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a current psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that a new medical examination is needed to clarify the veteran's diagnosis and determine if his psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence did not establish a relationship between the condition and the veteran's military service. The claim was previously denied in April 1998.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of October 1989 for a compensable rating for bipolar disorder, with history of anxiety neurosis and drug abuse.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. However, there is no indication of a direct or presumptive link between the veteran's military service and these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right wrist disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, headache disorder, and hearing loss. The decision is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has decided that the veteran's bipolar disorder, which was present prior to service and exacerbated during service, is service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and procedural errors, including failure to provide proper VCAA notice. The veteran's claim for service connection is being reviewed again with new evidence provided.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is presumed to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. His generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder without agoraphobia, and specific phobia (elevators) are considered to have been incurred during active service.

The Board has found that the record is not sufficiently developed to ensure an informed decision and has ordered additional examinations, records reviews, and evidence collection. The veteran's nonservice-connected conditions need to be rated appropriately.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to a higher rating for his service-connected bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for consideration of new evidence submitted by the veteran and to prepare a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance.