Bipolar disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder and depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the previous examination and the need for additional VA and private treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine if she has an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, related to service.

The Board denied all issues on appeal, including service connection claims and a claim for an increased rating for the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, rated at 70 percent disabling, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and a psychiatric examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder is causally related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and examination, including a need for another VA psychiatric examination and review of stressor events.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied service connection for substance abuse as a result of his own willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is not due to disease or injury incurred in service. The evidence does not support a finding of an in-service stressor and there is no medical opinion linking his current diagnoses to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA psychiatric examination. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed on a de novo basis due to the liberalizing regulations.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, hypomanic type, has been manifested by total occupational and social impairment. The Board finds that a 100 percent schedular rating is warranted for the entire period under consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD and thus, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability as required for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for paranoid schizophrenia, adult situational disorder, personality disorder, and bipolar disorder was granted by the Board on July 2008. The effective date of this grant is set at January 11, 1974.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is pending.

The Veteran is seeking to reopen her claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder. The RO/AMC must obtain the Veteran's complete personnel records and any SSA disability determination(s) and associated medical records. If new and material evidence has been submitted, the RO should consider whether VA medical examination and/or opinion are needed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asbestosis, hepatitis, and bipolar disorder have been withdrawn. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and providing a VA examination to determine when the Veteran's bipolar disorder first manifested.