Bipolar disorder decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence regarding her allegations of sexual assault during National Guard duty in January 1984.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for psychiatric disability, but it remains denied as there is no new and material evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for her service-connected major depressive disorder. The case has been remanded to obtain additional treatment records and conduct a new VA examination to distinguish the symptoms attributable to her service-connected condition from those caused by non-service connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a current shoulder disability and denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed shoulder disorder. For his mental disorder, the Board determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development, including the need for a VA psychiatric examination and additional development of his personal assault PTSD claim.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's current bipolar disorder is related to service, including an examination of her psychiatric history.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, major depression, and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent disability rating.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bipolar disorder had its onset in service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar affective disorder and anxiety disorder, are related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is rated at 50% and the Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to this disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a sinus condition. The claim for earlier effective date of a 30 percent rating for seborrheic dermatitis was also denied.

The Veteran's initial disability evaluation for bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder was granted at 30 percent effective March 7, 2001. The Board has now remanded the case to consider a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no jurisdiction remains for adjudicating the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's new claims for service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizoaffective disorder, depression, and PTSD. The AMC/RO must obtain all relevant medical records, schedule a VA psychiatric examination, and adjudicate the claim on the merits.

The Board found that the appellant's bipolar disorder began in service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bipolar disorder first became manifest during service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's personality disorders are not recognized as a disability for VA compensation purposes and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The stressor development requested in a prior remand should be accomplished.