Bipolar disorder decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder, which was previously denied in January 2003. The Veteran testified at his hearing that his mood cycles related to bipolar disorder began during service and he had disciplinary issues as a result.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and major depression, is related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

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

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with major depression has been rated at the highest possible level (100%) since September 14, 2005, due to total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has reopened the claim as new and material evidence was received, indicating that the appellant may have been insane at the time of his offenses leading to his discharge under other than honorable conditions. As a result, the character of discharge is no longer considered a bar to VA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness regarding his psychiatric fitness. The Board also found that the claimed in-service stressor could not be verified and thus did not support a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, was aggravated by his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board vacates its June 24, 2004 decision and grants service connection for bipolar disorder effective December 10, 2001.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred in or the result of active duty and denied his claim for service connection.

The appellant is not eligible for DIC benefits as a helpless child of the Veteran due to his current marriage status, which disqualifies him from receiving these benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a mental disorder. The case will be reviewed again with consideration of new medical opinions and additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on his spouse's need for regular aid and attendance was remanded. The case of the Veteran's daughter, R.C., who is claimed to be a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age 18, also remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors and a VA examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability found to be present during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional examination and opinion to determine if any psychiatric disability existed prior to service, had its onset during or as a result of service, and is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for adjudication of the issue of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the January 1971 rating determination that denied service connection for a nervous condition. The issues of effective dates, TDIU, DEA eligibility, and an increased evaluation for bipolar disorder will be addressed after CUE is resolved.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar II disorder, was incurred in active service. The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is also related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of asthma is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, including her in-service symptoms. The claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.