Bipolar disorder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 1, 2005 for a 30 percent disability rating for bipolar disorder is denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression and bipolar disorder, is presumed to be related to active duty service. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is incurred in service due to a personal assault, and thus grants service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, major depression, adjustment disorder, severe anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with history of bipolar disorder is currently evaluated at a 30 percent rating. Since July 9, 2009, the condition has been manifested by moderate symptomatology including frequent nightmares and impaired short- and long-term memory.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's neuropsychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and/or depression, was caused or aggravated by his service-connected meningitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military service and whether he experienced a personal assault during service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need to verify his participation in animal or human trials during his period of active service and to obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and an antisocial personality. The evidence received since the July 1998 rating decision was found to be cumulative and redundant.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased initial rating for bipolar disorder with adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric disability is related to her service-connected left ankle disability, and her headaches are related to active service. However, there is no evidence of a direct relationship between any other claimed disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and military police records. If a verified stressor of assault in service is found, the Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if PTSD is causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from September 8, 2006 to September 10, 2006 at St. Francis Hospital are approved as the VA facilities were not feasibly available and an attempt to use them beforehand would not have been reasonable.

The Board finds that the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms, including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and panic attacks, did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology post-service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder). The decision is based on new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.