Bipolar disorder decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a mental health examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disability began during service or is related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder in 2003, was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not related to a service-connected condition. The back disability was also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected bipolar disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, panic disorder, dysthymic disorder, and PTSD, clearly existed prior to service. However, there is credible evidence suggesting that these conditions may have been aggravated by service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication of the claims for an initial disability rating for bipolar disorder and entitlement to TDIU, based on the new date of service connection December 20, 1991. The RO must consider these issues again prior to the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. The Veteran's sleep apnea is also considered secondary to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and bipolar disorder, which he claims is related to his military service or due to his service-connected tinnitus. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining mental health records from his period of active duty and a VA examination.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital were not reimbursable because the treatment was not pre-authorized, and no VA facility was feasibly available for transfer after stabilization.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the evidence of record and determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, are related to her service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on his PTSD, bipolar disorder, and right inguinal hernia repair claims was denied due to a failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, was first manifest to a compensable degree within the first post-service year. Therefore, service connection is granted on a presumptive basis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, but denied the claims for Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features and Bipolar Disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, including bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any chronic low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is service-connected, but not PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and anxiety symptoms, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found no relationship between the Veteran's service and his current left hip and knee disabilities, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, was denied as there is no evidence of a stressor related to his claimed in-service events. The Board also found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any acquired psychiatric disorder or psychosis was incurred during service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment due to mild symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, intermittent anger and irritability, and mild memory problems. The current rating of 10 percent adequately reflects the severity of his disability.