Bipolar disorder decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The veteran's depression is considered to have been incurred during active service. There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder or PTSD until decades post-service, nor is there any competent evidence linking these conditions to service. Service connection was granted on the basis of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the merits of the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient medical nexus opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the March 1991 rating decision denying service connection for bipolar disorder was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and a grant of service connection for bipolar disorder is now granted. The issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the March 1991 and April 1993 rating decisions that denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding the claim of service connection for an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder manifested by bipolar disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bipolar disorder and found that his income was excessive for receipt of nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disability found to be present.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of frostbite of the hands or a right foot injury, and his claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination. The veteran's bipolar disorder is being evaluated in relation to her post-partum depression during active duty.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bipolar disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the cervical spine, effective from December 20, 2005. The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder) remains in dispute.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service. The veteran's military service does not meet the threshold eligibility requirements for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.,Service connection was also denied for a current acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder) as there is no medical evidence of its onset during or within one year after service, and it is not related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy was not incurred in or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evaluation of PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including paranoid schizophrenia, manic depression, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and brain damage, are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, schizoaffective disorder, anxiety, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, and personality disorder, are being evaluated.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional evidence, including service medical records and VA treatment records. The veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The veteran's bipolar disorder results in total occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood due to repeated suicidal and homicidal ideation; impulsivity; irritability and outbursts of violence; difficulty concentrating; decreased interest; hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response; feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness; difficulty getting along with people and being isolated; impaired judgment and insight; occasional visual hallucinations; and unemployability. The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the veteran's bipolar disorder.

The Board denied service connection for viral exanthem, bilateral hearing loss, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder due to lack of competent medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder in service or within one year after separation, and concluded that the veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service.