Bipolar disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The issue of entitlement to TDIU will be considered in conjunction with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, consisting of bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, has been rated at 50 percent since the filing of her claim. The VA examinations conducted during this period have consistently shown that her condition causes reduced reliability and productivity but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for spinal meningitis was previously denied in December 1970 and is not reopened.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 16, 2008, for bipolar disorder is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and bipolar disorder do not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation, as her symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which was previously denied in February 2003 due to a lack of evidence linking his current mental health conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorders, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and mental handicap to include chemical imbalance, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from March 29, 2007 until July 9, 2009. Beginning on July 9, 2009, the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder was aggravated by his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bipolar disorder. The Board has determined that additional records are needed to make an informed decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board found that there is no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claimed in-service stressor and thus denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran does not have PTSD and her service records do not support a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board finds the February 2008 VA examiner's report to be very probative in determining that she does not meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with psychotic features, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of his Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is found to have its onset during active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The left eye disability remains unresolved.

The Board is remanding the case to schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran due to his request, and will not make a decision on the merits of the service connection claim until this is done.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, paranoia, depression, schizophrenia, and PTSD. The Veteran's deviated nasal septum was rated at 10 percent.