Bipolar disorder decisions — 2009

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as hepatic encephalopathy, but the underlying causes were cirrhosis and hepatitis C. The appellant contends that the Veteran died due to his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of schizophrenia during service and at the time of death.

The Veteran claims service connection for a bipolar disorder, which he alleges is related to his military service. The Board has determined that the current VA examination report is inadequate and requires further review by a new examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders pre-existed service or are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bipolar disorder and partial-complex seizure disorder are not related to her military service, leading to a denial of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating at any point in the one-year period prior to August 29, 2003. Therefore, the claim for an effective date prior to this date was denied.

The Board finds that additional development is required before the issue on appeal can be decided. The Veteran claims a psychiatric disorder related to service, but there are conflicting opinions regarding whether her condition was related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders did not manifest during or within one year after service and are not related to any aspect of active duty or active duty for training.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected meningitis did not cause or aggravate his neuropsychiatric disorder, including bipolar and mood disorders.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to have first manifested during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The residuals of herniated disc at C5-6 and L4-5 are not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder was denied on the merits due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and verifying military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's mood disorder, to include bipolar disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizoid personality disorder. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric condition related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to their severity and nature.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, bipolar disorder, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, effective July 6, 2007.