Bipolar disorder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's acne, bipolar disorder, PTSD, sinusitis/upper respiratory infections, cesarean section residuals, and menstrual cramps have been granted service connection. The rating for acne has been restored to 10 percent effective September 1, 2000.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's leukemia did not begin during or as a result of his military service, and denied the claim for service connection. The issue of a rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 5, 2000 for the assignment of a 100 percent disability evaluation for bipolar disorder. The claim is denied prior to this date.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type does not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment due to such symptoms as gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent ability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of closes relatives, own occupation, or own name. The Veteran's psychiatric disability has been rated at 70 percent since December 2011.

The Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder prior to January 22, 2011 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed bipolar disorder and vascular dementia were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his recent deployment and the need for a Board hearing. The issue remains whether he can establish service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his active service, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The acquired psychiatric disorder was not related to his period of active service, nor is it etiologically linked to any incident during service. Similarly, there is no evidence linking the right knee disability to service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the nature and likely etiology of her current psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied the application to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, or other acquired psychiatric disorders. The evidence submitted since April 2003 did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records and examination.

The decision granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type and assigned a 30 percent rating based on the evidence showing definite impairment of social and industrial adaptability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and personnel information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depression, is being remanded due to insufficient examination reports. The examiner must reconcile all diagnoses and determine if any are superimposed on his diagnosed personality disorder or pre-existed service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and major depression, was incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring all claims are properly addressed.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's claimed conditions and his service, including obtaining information about any classified missions during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are not related to his military service and therefore denied the claim for service connection.