Bipolar disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bipolar affective disorder, diagnosed as a psychosis, was shown to be present within one year of separation from service and is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature, extent, onset and etiology of any psychiatric disability found to be present during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, began during active service or is related to an incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and bipolar affective disorder with psychotic features have been rated at 70 percent since November 20, 1998. The rating has been increased to 70 percent effective April 10, 2009.,Since the award of service connection, the Veteran's psychiatric disability has resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The issues include service connection for back conditions and a psychiatric disability, with the possibility of increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to determine if the Veteran currently has left shoulder and right knee disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The examination results will be used to assess whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's brief military service is denied as he did not serve during a qualifying period of war. The claim for non-service connected pension benefits must be denied as a matter of law due to lack of eligibility.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for an umbilical hernia was denied, and her claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran is seeking nonservice-connected pension benefits and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain the Veteran's personnel file, updated treatment records, and a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder with psychotic features and depression, were not incurred or aggravated by his service. The evidence did not support a link between his in-service experiences and his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, high cholesterol, and bipolar disorder. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claims for PTSD and schizophrenia.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sinusitis due to new and material evidence submitted. However, it found that there is not enough evidence to grant service connection for bipolar disorder, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, gynecological disabilities, or migraine headaches prior to November 29, 2005. The claim for special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of a creative organ was granted effective from November 29, 2005.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bipolar disorder, which is claimed as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for depression, secondary to a condition of the teeth. The Veteran's testimony regarding his mental health issues does not relate these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and bipolar disorder, and an updated review of his Social Security disability determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination report and need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD based on personal/sexual assault in the military has been granted. The Board also determined that he is entitled to consideration of whether service connection also is warranted for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD (depression and bipolar disorder).