Bipolar disorder decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Appellant's disability compensation payments to the prescribed 10-percent rate, effective November [redacted], 2002, on account of his felony convictions and resulting incarceration was proper. The appeal for immediate reinstatement of his payments at the prior 50-percent level is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bipolar disorder is sufficient to raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and OCD with depression and anxiety were rated at 30 percent prior to July 18, 2006, but the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted. Since July 18, 2006, the disability has been rated as 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining mental health records from service and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any current acquired psychiatric disorders are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, currently claimed as bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder during service or for many years thereafter, and there is no competent opinion linking the current disorder to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability. The Veteran's reopened claim will now be reviewed on its merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an additional examination to determine the etiology of his diagnosed psychiatric conditions and whether they are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar affective disorder was not incurred in service, but the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) vacated this decision and remanded it back to the Board due to insufficient medical evidence. The Joint Motion for Remand agreed with the Board’s finding on aggravation, but noted the need for another examination if there is insufficient medical evidence to assess whether the Veteran's disability first became manifest in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for further examination and clarification of the in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues related to service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety attacks, as well as whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen a claim for hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for updated VA Form 21-8940.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with psychosis and depression, did not have its onset during service or is otherwise related to military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with sleep disturbance has been characterized by occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to pending issues regarding earlier effective dates for service connection and increased initial ratings. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, including schizophrenia, is being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a copy of the decision granting Social Security Disability benefits and any supporting medical records, as well as any pertinent VA or other inpatient/outpatient treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be readjudicated based on this new information.