Bipolar disorder decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a psychiatric disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and the Veteran's current schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type was not linked to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Multiple Sclerosis is denied, while the claim for service connection for Bipolar Disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current psychiatric disabilities, including schizoaffective disorder, psychosis, PTSD, and bipolar complex.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, and hearing loss of the right ear are related to his service. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to his incarceration and lack of recent medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression (including major depressive disorder), and bipolar disorder (including bipolar affective disorder) were denied as there is no verified stressor to support the claimed conditions, and no competent evidence of a link between any of these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar mood disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder was denied because there is no evidence that his current disability resulted from active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to manage his own financial affairs without limitation due to his psychiatric conditions, and therefore denies direct payment of VA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for bipolar disorder was increased to 30 percent effective prior to February 21, 2006. The Board found that the impairment from the Veteran's bipolar disorder most closely approximated occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to February 21, 2006.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including bipolar disorder), antisocial personality disorder, a back disability, and headaches. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service stressors or a link between any current disabilities and active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD due to an in-service stressor, and there was no corroborating evidence for the alleged stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bipolar disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia was denied as the original decision granting service connection had become final.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder (bipolar I disorder) is not related to any event, injury or disease incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 50 percent prior to March 6, 2008 and did not warrant a rating in excess of 70 percent from March 6, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a lower left leg contusion/hematuria with incision and drainage was denied. The RO also denied his petition to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. Service connection for psychiatric disorders, including schizoaffective and bipolar disorders, is pending.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for a Travel Board hearing at the appropriate location.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability did not manifest during service and is unrelated to his period of active duty. The claim for service connection was denied.