Bipolar disorder decisions — 2009

The Board finds that the Veteran's bipolar disorder with psychotic features is likely due to his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder and insomnia, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions. The claim for insomnia was granted as secondary to tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected bipolar disorder, currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current manifestations and effects of the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bipolar disorder was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for bipolar disorder.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder did not cause or contribute to his death. The Board found no evidence in the medical records supporting a role for bipolar disorder as having substantially or materially contributed to the Veteran's death, combined to cause death, or aided or lent assistance to the production of death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but finds that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, dissociative identity disorder, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), were incurred or aggravated by her military service. The presumption of soundness is not rebutted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and major depressive disorders. The Board has also remanded the issue of an increased rating for his service-connected hypertension.

The Board found that the appellant's personality disorder was not incurred in service and his current acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service or any incident therein, including aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and psychiatric treatment records from VA facilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder, low back disability, and bilateral foot and great toe disabilities were not related to his service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, originally claimed as bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran is competent to handle the disbursement of VA funds and thus meets the criteria for receiving direct payment of his VA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder. The denial was based on a lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed stressors, as well as the absence of combat participation in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that an effective date of October 23, 1996, is appropriate for the grant of TDIU based on increased service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder is being remanded due to the possibility of additional diagnoses.