Bipolar disorder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and obtaining SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran was also denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, was incurred during his active service.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The case is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied because the treatment received at Grady Memorial Hospital was not furnished by a VA employee or in a facility over which the Secretary has direct jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a review of the Veteran's post-service medical records and a VA examination to determine if there is sufficient evidence to concede the Veteran's claimed sexual assault stressor. The examiner will then assess whether any currently present psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of evidence, including obtaining records from other VA facilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a head injury during service and the condition is not linked to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) at the Veteran's most recent address. The appeal is now pending again with the Board.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension benefits due to his nonservice-connected disabilities and age over 65, meeting the criteria for housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for foot arch strain and obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that there is no reasonable possibility of obtaining additional evidence to substantiate his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD based on fear of hostile military activity in the Persian Gulf. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disability will be held in abeyance pending adjudication of the psychiatric claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset of his psychiatric conditions during service, and whether any preexisting condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for further clarification of the relationship between his PTSD and bipolar disorder.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and a nervous disorder, began during or was otherwise caused by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeals as to increased ratings for status post torn right Achilles tendon, residuals of a fracture of the left little finger, and osteochondroma of the left leg, and entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU.