Bipolar disorder decisions — 2006

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran is not competent for VA purposes due to his mental incapacity, including his inability to manage his own finances and handle his affairs without limitation.

The appellant's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder was dismissed because she failed to respond to multiple requests for information from the RO over a period of several years.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to ensure that the veteran is provided proper VCAA notice regarding his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include bipolar disorder, finding that the condition manifested in service and is not due to an in-service incident.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder and major depression were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for residuals of brain injury (claimed as brain damage), bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her 100 percent rating for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice and further development.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision denying service connection for schizoaffective and bipolar disorders is not supported by the evidence of record, and thus remands the case for further development to determine if any current psychiatric disorder preexisted service or was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder due to left eye toxoplasmosis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's child, G.M.B., was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect at the time he attained age 18. Therefore, his claim to be recognized as a helpless child is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, and undiagnosed illness resulting from Gulf War service are being reviewed.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a bipolar disorder with depression, finding that there is sufficient objective evidence linking the current diagnosis of bipolar disorder to the diagnosis of depression in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder with associated panic disorder and agoraphobia warrants an initial rating of 30 percent, effective from May 15, 2001.

For the period effective October 20, 1999, the veteran's bipolar disorder was manifested by a mild level of impairment resulting in occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decreased work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress.,For the period beginning January 1, 2006, the veteran's bipolar disorder did not show severe enough symptoms to interfere with occupational and social functioning.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to his service-connected bipolar disorder contributing to his arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims of service connection for bipolar disorder/schizophrenia and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD are denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions being related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchial asthma, low back disability (including arthritis), and a psychiatric disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board finds that service connection for bipolar disorder is warranted, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the claimant.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently demonstrated bipolar disorder, which existed prior to service and was aggravated during service, meets the criteria for service connection.