Bipolar disorder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions, is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her combined disability rating and other compensations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder NOS, and depression are granted. The claim for secondary service connection for alcohol abuse is also granted.

The Board has ordered further development to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, are related to his military service. The case is being remanded for additional evidence collection and an opinion from a VA clinician regarding the onset of these conditions during his period of active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, was incurred during service. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder, are not related to service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

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

The Board has granted reopening of the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a character disorder with an anxiety reaction and also granted service connection for a schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. This award represents a complete grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and bipolar disorder was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from April 15, 2004 through June 14, 2011 were not met, but remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from June 15, 2011.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and subclinical PTSD. The claim was reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 50 percent since July 25, 2005. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant a higher rating as it only meets criteria for moderate impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 100% rating for bipolar disorder, finding that the reduction from 100% to 10% was not in accordance with regulatory criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, authorization forms for SSA records, and a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and readjudication due to a complex history of psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses, including bipolar disorder, personality disorders, PTSD, depression, and other conditions.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and polysubstance abuse are found to be related to his military service, warranting the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bipolar disorder has been dismissed due to his failure to provide necessary identifying information and releases for outstanding treatment records within a year following the date of the request.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder. The Veteran's current diagnosis of bipolar disorder is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder and PTSD, was rated at 50% effective from May 3, 2007. This rating is considered appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.