Bipolar disorder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including depressive symptoms, is found to be at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. The rating for lumbosacral fibrositis and arthritis remains unchanged.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, adjustment disorder, organic mood disorder, panic attacks and nervous breakdown, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding a reported truck accident and deaths of two Marines in June 1980. A VA examination will be scheduled, and additional inquiries will be made to NCIS, Camp Pendleton Provost Marshall, MCASC, and JSRRC.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder and depression. The Board has ordered remand due to the need to obtain SSA records, service personnel records, and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder found to be present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, are at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

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

The Board found that the evidence received since the December 2005 rating decision, when considered by itself or in conjunction with previously considered evidence, does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include bipolar disorder. As such, the claim was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for ankle and heel disabilities, service connection for bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, and hepatitis C. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim for hepatitis C.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim should be remanded for further development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine if he has PTSD related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim, finding that his character of discharge for the period from November 1968 to June 1970 is considered a bar to VA disability benefits due to persistent misconduct and willful and persistent misconduct.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a higher evaluation to 70 percent effective February 12, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for both bipolar disorder and hypertension, finding that the conditions did not have their clinical onset during a period of active service or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder, is denied as there is no evidence of a pre-service diagnosis or a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending as the maximum schedular rating has not been assigned.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by total occupational and social impairment from December 10, 2007, to December 17, 2007. From December 18, 2007, to January 30, 2009, the disability was manifested by flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective social relationships.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and medical records from Dr. Kulacki.

The Board has remanded the case for a personal hearing with a Veterans Law Judge of the Board at the RO or via videoconference.