Bipolar disorder decisions — 2009

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring proper VCAA notice has been provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any of the veteran's psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Veteran asserts that his current psychiatric condition, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, is the result of a skull fracture incurred during active duty. The case requires additional development to obtain medical records from Norfolk Hospital and Portsmouth Naval Hospital, as well as SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case to afford the Veteran a VA examination to determine if he currently suffers from an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as a result of any verified stressor(s), and whether his current conditions are related to his service.

The Board has reopened the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to new evidence, but finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for benefits as his additional disability is not attributable to VA negligence or fault.

The VA determined that the appellant's service-connected bipolar disorder with secondary drug abuse alone does not render him unemployable, as other medical conditions and substance abuse problems also interfere with his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being received and potential VA mental health clinic records not yet considered.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression. The new evidence submitted by private physicians suggests that her current disability may have initially manifested during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional development and notification as per new regulations.

The VA determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and providing proper notice.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the relationship between his service and any current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, previously diagnosed as depression, was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective March 30, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD and Bipolar Disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no credible evidence of an in-service sexual assault. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with a VA examination and obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 22, 1990, for the assignment of a total disability rating for bipolar disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and other psychiatric disorders are related to events in service, including personal assaults.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of burns to the face and nervous system damage (mental illness), are not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his back disabilities, and because adjudication of these claims may impact the secondary claim for depression/bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the right lower extremity warrant a 40 percent evaluation effective June 3, 2008. The Veteran also meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his combined disability rating.