Bipolar disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his mental health conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also found that there was no evidence of insanity at the time of the offenses resulting in his bad conduct discharge.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, is related to her in-service military sexual trauma. The Board finds that service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 70 percent since the appeal period began, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service and the Board finds that it was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a comprehensive VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, varicose veins, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran did not provide any additional information or evidence that would support reopening these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disorder did not worsen during service and is not related to her active duty. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychopathic personality disorder and emotional instability with asocial behavior was granted, but the issue is no longer before the Board due to a complete grant of benefits.,The Veteran's claim of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for hernia and residuals of a small bowel obstruction was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, which is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's neck disorder and arthritis are also found to be secondary to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type (previously claimed as panic/anxiety disorder and depression) has been fully granted by the AMC in a July 2011 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (major depression and bipolar disorder) has rendered him unemployable since December 14, 1992. He is granted a 100% schedular rating for this disability retroactively effective from that date.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability related to the Veteran's active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the appellant's bipolar disorder is not attributable to his period of service ending on January 8, 1983, and did not manifest to a compensable degree within a year of January 8, 1983. The appellant's discharge from service was characterized as other than honorable due to an absence without official leave (AWOL) for a continuous period of at least 180 days.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The development includes obtaining corroborated stressor information and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and procedural actions, including obtaining a completed VA Form 646 from the Veteran's representative.

The Board has recharacterized the Veteran's claim as an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, bipolar disorder, and MDD. The case is REMANDED for further development including obtaining service treatment records from her first period of active service, VA treatment records, SSA disability determination with medical records, and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and employment history. The case will be reconsidered based on this new information.