Bipolar disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and his pension benefits claim are both being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a psychiatric disorder, which she contends arises from her service-connected asthma or psoriasis. The case is being remanded to provide an adequate VA examination and obtain updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, dysthymic disorder, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. The claim was denied as there is no evidence showing a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been productive of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, poor impulse control, periods of violence, suicidal ideation, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. However, the preponderance of the evidence shows that the disability has not been productive of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was caused by his VA-prescribed medication, Zyprexa, and the Board finds that this constitutes a qualifying additional disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder with alcohol abuse, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the impairment does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was incurred during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in the Army National Guard, and the Board has granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder with psychotic features. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim and concluded that the Veteran's bipolar disorder with psychotic features is presumed to have been incurred during his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disability did not have its clinical onset in or is otherwise related to his service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder in June 2001 and affirmed by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) in December 2003. The Veteran did not submit any new evidence or records to reopen his claim until August 25, 2005, when he applied to reopen his case based on statements from himself and his sister, as well as a statement from a private psychologist. As such, the effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder is fixed at August 25, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development of evidence and adjudication, including a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be part of his already service-connected bipolar disorder. His increased rating for bipolar disorder from March 9, 2001 to May 2, 2007 was denied, but he received a 50% rating for the period after May 3, 2007.

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 and/or schizoaffective disorders. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and alcohol and substance abuse. This includes obtaining SSA records, developing medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing the Veteran with another opportunity to respond.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and manic-depressive disorders, was incurred or aggravated during his military service. The claims file contains conflicting evidence regarding the preexistence of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of evidence, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also being addressed.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA psychiatric examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bipolar disorder and for a VA general medical examination to assess whether the Veteran is capable of securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated based on this additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chest pain, bipolar affective disorder, and right knee disability. The appeals were also denied on reopening claims as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is service-connected, as it was incurred in or aggravated by his military service due to a pre-existing condition.