Bipolar disorder decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to assess the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a VCAA notice deficiency regarding the assignment of an effective date.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues, including a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus and service connection for erectile dysfunction and bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not competent to handle the disbursement of VA funds due to his mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and personality disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have PTSD, depression, or bipolar disorder due to service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired mental disorder, but it is not granted as the evidence does not establish a direct link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to his service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, chronic cervicodorsal sprain, and chronic lumbosacral sprain. The claim for an initial evaluation of service-connected bipolar disorder type II in excess of 10 percent is remanded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The veteran's claim is inextricably intertwined with his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board found that the veteran's bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder began in service, linking them to his current psychiatric condition. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including schizo-affective disorder and bipolar disorder, preexisted service. The Board also noted that there is no evidence of a current bilateral wrist disability or aggravation of any existing condition during service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have bipolar disorder and does not have marked limitation of motion of his left ankle. Therefore, service connection for bipolar disorder is denied, and an increased rating for residuals of a left ankle fracture with arthritis is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the veteran's bipolar disorder or organic brain syndrome is related to his service-connected meningitis.

The Board has determined that a current bipolar disorder is not shown by competent clinical evidence and therefore denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for obtaining additional medical records and considering whether new evidence supports reopening the claim for bipolar disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing psychiatric conditions, including adjustment disorder with a depressed mood and bipolar disorder, existed prior to his military service. The Board concluded that these conditions were not aggravated by his brief period of active duty.