Bipolar disorder decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, is due to disease or injury incurred in active service. The benefit of doubt has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except hepatitis, to include hepatitis C, have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded for scheduling a hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely and adequate Notice of Disagreement was filed within one year of the September 2006 rating decision, thus granting the appeal for all denied issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and an increased rating for bipolar disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding his TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board has reopened the claim for PTSD, but denied service connection due to insufficient evidence linking current symptoms to a claimed in-service stressor.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar type II disorder. The decision is based on insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including antisocial personality disorder and bipolar disorder, are not found to be related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders is being remanded due to incomplete verification of claimed stressors during service. The Board will consider all diagnosed conditions, including PTSD, in determining whether they are related to military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is as likely as not related to service, including his experiences during basic training and at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 11, 1998 for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder. The Veteran's claim was reopened and new evidence submitted in December 1998.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and clarify his disability benefits history.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. A VA examination is needed to determine if any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to the Veteran's symptoms during his period of service or within the first post-service year.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the link between his current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, and his military service. Additional evidence from private therapists and treatment records are also needed.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 9432. The decision grants a higher rating for his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with VCAA requirements and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The Veteran's claims are now addressed on their merits.

The Veteran's current bipolar disorder is considered to be related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected bipolar disorder is being remanded for further development, including verification of the current severity of his bipolar disorder and a VA psychiatric examination.