Bipolar disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and stressor verification. The issue remains pending as the Veteran has not provided sufficient information to identify claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to verify the appellant's claimed stressors in service, which are necessary for a determination on his claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded to gather this information and conduct further examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran is diagnosed with a current psychiatric disability, namely PTSD and bipolar disorder, and that there is credible supporting evidence that her stressor events occurred. The Board concludes that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's PTSD is caused by or is a result of her rape in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, as he is able to perform basic self-care functions and does not require substantial confinement.

The Board has recharacterized the issue on appeal as one for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing an in-service onset or aggravation. The head trauma claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for anxiety neurosis was denied in September 1988. The Veteran filed a new claim for increased compensation for bipolar disorder on September 8, 1992. The Board found that the criteria for a 70 percent rating were met from September 8, 1991 to April 16, 2001.

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and additional development of the Veteran's VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty. The Board found no credible evidence of a nexus between service and the diagnosed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated by it, thus denying service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury with sciatica, as well as the issue regarding psychiatric disability (including PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder (to include PTSD) has been granted. The remaining issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since November 2, 2009. This rating reflects significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service. The VA examiner concluded that there was no evidence of such a disability during service.

The Veteran's initial rating for bipolar disorder was granted at 50 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the evidence received since the August 2004 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, right foot disorder, and right shoulder disorder as secondary to a service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's claims were not granted.

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

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Flagler Hospital from August 25 to August 28, 2007 is denied because the requirements for reimbursement under 38 C.F.R. § 17.1002 are not met due to partial payment by Medicare.