Bipolar disorder decisions — 2008

The Board has denied all service connection claims for various psychiatric, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The veteran's service records are silent on these issues, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that any of the claimed conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The veteran's bipolar disorder is manifested by sleep disturbances, hypervigilance, recurrent manic episodes, depressed mood, illogical thought process, 'magical' thinking, concentration problems, and some impairment of relationships with others. The Board has found that the disability warrants a 50 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 4, 2001, for a 100% rating for service-connected bipolar disorder. The decision found that no higher rating was warranted prior to this date.

The veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 10 percent from April 11, 1974. It was later increased to 30 percent effective October 7, 1999, and to 50 percent effective April 6, 2000.

The veteran was granted an effective date of April 16, 2002 for special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-service bipolar disorder was exacerbated during service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C, AB positive was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The case is being dismissed as there are no pending claims related to this issue.

The veteran claims service connection for his diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, alleging that they were aggravated by events in service. The Board finds the claim requires further development due to insufficient evidence on the etiology of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining unit records to verify stressors and attempting to obtain additional medical evidence. The veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability. The TDIU claim is remanded due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the veteran for an appropriate VA psychiatric examination. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1998 rating decision denying service connection for bipolar disorder. The claim of an earlier effective date was also denied as there is no legal basis to award such a date.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection for a mental disorder, including bipolar disorder, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a closed head injury and left frontal skull fracture. The appeal will be remanded to allow VA to obtain relevant medical records and conduct necessary examinations.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board found that the veteran's anxiety and bipolar disorders were not incurred during active military service, as there was no evidence of such conditions in service records. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, is attributable to service. The claim for a skin disability manifested by fungus on the feet will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a bipolar II disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented.

The VA determined that the veteran's bipolar disorder is not aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has jurisdiction to consider the reopening of a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than post-traumatic stress disorder. The veteran's application to reopen this claim is granted, and the claim is remanded due to the need for further development regarding the reopened claim.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, rheumatic heart disease on the basis of aggravation, and PTSD based on personal/sexual assault. The case is being remanded to comply with VCAA requirements and to obtain additional development related to the veteran's claims.