Bipolar disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and a rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder with alcohol abuse and depression, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder, including cocaine dependency, substance abuse, mood disorder, and dysthymia with panic attacks, is service-connected. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions first manifested during active military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical treatment for MRSA infection and related complications is approved, as the condition was a serious threat to his health requiring immediate attention.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar and depressive disorders, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not causally or etiologically related to his military service. The Board also found that drug addiction was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion from a VA psychiatrist regarding whether any acquired psychiatric disorder present during the period of this claim is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and determine the appropriate rating for her acquired psychiatric disorder. The issue of competency for direct receipt of VA compensation benefits will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the appellant requires aid and attendance due to her diagnosed disabilities, including visual acuity of 5/200 or worse in both eyes. As such, she is eligible for enhanced death pension benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder has resulted in symptoms that include depression and anxiety, but does not result in severe impairment in the ability to obtain or retain employment or in occupational and social impairment. The initial evaluation of 50 percent is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is properly considered, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA physician review.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes bipolar disorder. The Veteran is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence shows significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to unclear diagnoses and need for further examination. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, and erectile dysfunction are currently under review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a change in hearing officer, and the appellant wishes to have a new hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional left shoulder disability as a result of VA treatment.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed and will be obtained. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU per 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, his claim of entitlement to a TDIU is submitted to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's PTSD and bipolar affective disorder are causally related to his active duty service, leading the Board to grant service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, depression, schizoaffective disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is being remanded due to the need to verify a specific incident during his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need to provide notification regarding alternative means of proving a personal assault stressor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service treatment records and VA medical records from the Veteran's separation until 1994. The claim will be returned to the Board after these records are obtained.