Bipolar disorder decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 50 percent since August 20, 2001. The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder and did not address the TDIU claim due to lack of merit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder are being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his substance abuse, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and bronchopneumonia. The DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to October 7, 1999, had not been met, but that the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation from October 7, 1999, had been met.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include bipolar disorder and PTSD, based on reopening of the claim due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and a need for further review by the AOJ.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for manic depressive illness and bipolar disorder, finding that new evidence submitted by the Veteran is sufficient to trigger VA's duty to provide a medical examination. The case is now remanded for such an examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her right leg disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than the current 20 percent assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the claimed conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder did not have onset during service and is not otherwise related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's schizophrenia was found to be incurred or aggravated by service-connected postoperative residuals, right radical orchiectomy. His claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 21, 2002 and April 19, 2006 for service connection of generalized anxiety disorder with bipolar disorder and major depression, and bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The appeal was also reopened on new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of a personal assault during service, and the need for further development regarding service connection for bipolar disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent 100% disability rating for bipolar disorder was denied as the evidence did not establish that his condition is static and likely to improve, thus preventing him from receiving a permanent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, are related to her military service.

The Board has ordered additional development to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The remand includes addressing whether the Veteran was exposed to in-service stressors that could have led to his current diagnoses of PTSD and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairments with reduced reliability and productivity for the portion of the appeal period prior to September 16, 2009.,For the portion of the appeal period from September 16, 2009, the Veteran experienced total occupational and social impairment due to her fair impulse control, inability to maintain minimum personal hygiene, depression, violent episodes, impaired thinking with poor insight, and severe anxiety when employed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including panic disorder, bipolar disorder, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder, as well as a TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

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