Bipolar disorder decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric condition is related to her in-service symptoms and treatment.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in reduced reliability and productivity before July 12, 2007, but from that date onward, it caused significant impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his cervical spine, bladder disability, and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as a TDIU.

The Veteran's cause of death, injuries due to blunt impact to the head, was not caused by a service-connected disability. The Board found no evidence linking his psychiatric disorders to active duty service and denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and severity of his psychiatric disorders and whether they are related to his first period of active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder was initially rated at 50 percent prior to August 3, 2009 and has been granted a 70 percent rating from that date due to increased severity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including a clarification of whether his psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, was caused or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, will be remanded for additional development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused, at least in part, by VA-prescribed medications he received for treatment of his service-connected mental illness and his inconsistent and/or inappropriate dosing of such medications resulting in fatal acute pancreatitis. As a result, DIC benefits are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to her service and has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder, which is an acquired psychiatric disorder, was first manifested during his period of active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board is remanding the case due to the need to consider whether other diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to service and to obtain additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bipolar disorder, and that arteriosclerotic heart disease was not related to service-connected bipolar disorder. Service connection for fibromyalgia and degenerative arthritis was also denied as these conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current acquired psychiatric disorder that is related to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors during his active duty as a corpsman at the United States Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois are credible and supported by medical evidence. The Board also found no other psychiatric disorders related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of his service personnel records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, ADHD, depression, and dementia, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and the evidence does not support an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy and there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor to support a diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran's bipolar disorder was also not related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service.