Bipolar disorder decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, and ADD. The decision is mixed as some of the evidence relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for depression. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining deck logs from the U.S.S. Arkansas and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder is service-connected, with resolution of doubt in favor of the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension.,Service connection was denied for migraine headaches, a psychiatric disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease, trigger thumb, hearing loss, loss of eyesight, and stuttering as these conditions were not shown during or after service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder and granted it, finding new and material evidence. Service connection was also granted for coronary artery disease.

The veteran seeks service connection for bipolar disorder and challenges the dishonorable discharge from his second period of active duty. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the veteran's mental health condition was present during this time, including seeking medical records and conducting a psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, and therefore denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bipolar mood disorder warrants a higher initial rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed and denied his claim.

The Board has found that the veteran's diagnosed bipolar disorder with psychotic features manifested during his military service or within a year thereafter, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder with major depression, is rated at 70 percent and he was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective January 7, 2002. The effective date for the initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for his psychiatric disability cannot be earlier than January 7, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder, which he contends was incurred during service, is granted as a direct result of his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a bipolar disorder that had its onset in service or is otherwise related to her service. As such, the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's bipolar disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression, was aggravated by service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for varicose veins and service connection for bipolar disorder and strokes as secondary to service-connected left leg varicose veins.

The veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his bipolar disorder was dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder. The RO must verify the alleged in-service stressors, including mortar attacks during his time in Vietnam, and provide a VA examination to evaluate the claims on both direct and secondary bases.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and finds that new evidence submitted since the initial denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also concludes that the current psychiatric disorders are not related to military service.

The veteran's death certificate does not list any service-connected conditions. The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than anxiety reaction, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound, and TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.