Bipolar disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for borderline personality disorder with histrionic personality disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder with panic attack, bipolar disorder, and major depression. The evidence received since the January 1983 rating decision includes mental health treatment records from Griffiss Air Force Base that provide a link between the Veteran's service and her current diagnoses.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. The claim will be readjudicated based on the new evidence and examination results.

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric and gastrointestinal conditions are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression, was denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected disability. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the absence of a qualifying service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to schedule the Veteran for a BVA hearing. The appeal is now pending and will be addressed once the hearing is scheduled.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically an examination to determine if her current psychiatric disorders are related to military sexual trauma in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and Alzheimer's disease, both of which are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected anxiety reaction. The case is now remanded for further rating actions on SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and TDIU.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, are related to her service. Additionally, she will be asked to provide evidence that corroborates her claim of receiving letters from J.H. during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current psychiatric conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected bipolar manic affective disorder prior to October 1, 2009. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically whether it is at least as likely as not related to service. The claim for increased rating in excess of 50 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran is also granted service connection for bipolar disorder as it is aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for bipolar disorder, finding that the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective September 20, 2010. A TDIU was granted with an effective date of September 20, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied by operation of law as he does not meet the criteria for a current disability. The claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, and vision disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing clarifying medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and depressive reaction, was found to have significant symptoms prior to April 29, 2008, but did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The claim of entitlement to TDIU benefits due to service-connected disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing a VA examination to determine if any psychiatric disorder is related to service. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and found that the Veteran's current disability is related to her military service. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for bipolar disorder, uterine disability, headaches, and asthma are remanded for further development.