Bipolar disorder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's psychiatric disability did not permanently increase in severity following VA treatment in May to July 2005, and the Board found that there was no evidence of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to manage his own financial affairs without limitation, and therefore, direct payment of VA benefits is denied.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a link between the Veteran's bipolar disorder and his military service, including any use of steroids or amphetamines during service.

The Veteran's pre-existing mental disorders were not aggravated by service, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities and referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development and adjudicative action due to new evidence associated with the claims file.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his service connection claim for bipolar disorder and psychosis.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, and denied the claim for increased rating of chronic low back strain. The Veteran's claims were reopened on new evidence but service connection was not established.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for anxiety disorder, depression, panic disorder, and bipolar disorder as well as right carpal tunnel syndrome. Further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing all available medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and inpatient/outpatient treatment records. The Veteran's psychiatric condition will be evaluated to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his period of active military service. The case must be remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the likelihood that any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was caused or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with psychotic features has been rated at 70 percent since September 30, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are related to his military service. The appeal is now pending again with the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, as well as an updated medical opinion regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and bipolar disorder have been reopened, and a psychiatric disability was found to be incurred during active service. The claim for sleep apnea has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will also be examined to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders present during his period of service.