Bipolar disorder decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the veteran's bipolar disorder, and the case is remanded for this purpose. The veteran may also be provided with corrective VCAA notice regarding effective dates if an increased rating is awarded.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, COPD, asthma, and rhinitis. The veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any psychiatric disorder, as there was no medical evidence linking any current psychiatric condition to service.

The VA determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder warranted a rating of 50 percent effective September 23, 2005. This decision denied any higher ratings for both periods.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, but finds that there is no evidence of a disease or injury during service and no continuity of symptomatology. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection and compensation have been denied. The left shoulder disorder claim has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection. Hypertension is not related to service, and there is no evidence that it was caused by VA care. The psychiatric and rectal disorders are also not related to service or VA care. Finally, the residuals of the fracture of the right 5th metacarpal do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bipolar disorder did not have its onset in service and there is no evidence of a psychosis during the initial post-service year. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, is denied.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The veteran's personality disorder pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service. Her bipolar disorder is also not related to her military service.

The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing psychiatric condition that was aggravated by service, and the current acquired psychiatric disability is not shown to be related to service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, is denied.

The veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in definite, but not considerable impairment prior to March 4, 1999. The disability caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, mood disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, was incurred during her period of active service. The claims for infertility, ovarian tumors, and spotting and miscarriage were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective April 6, 2001. The right forearm scar remains rated as noncompensable.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder, are related to service. This includes seeking evidence of a personal assault during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, residuals of a head injury, and residuals of a neck injury are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar affective disorder is not related to service and denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status has been denied. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bipolar disorder and chronic kidney insufficiency are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorder, bipolar disorder, was incurred during service as a result of in-service stressors and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hypertension and service connection for lumbar disc disease, gastric ulcers, migraine headaches, and bipolar disorder. The veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 0 percent disabling due to poor control of blood pressure despite medication use. His back condition was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. No current diagnoses of gastric ulcers or bipolar disorder were found. Service connection for these conditions could not be established.