Bipolar disorder decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected psychiatric disability, bipolar disorder with depression. The cause of death was listed as probable cardiac arrhythmia due to an enlarged heart. Given the evidence, including the independent medical evaluation, which concluded that the medications prescribed for his psychiatric condition likely contributed to his death, the Board has granted service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar affective disorder is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD with depression and alcoholism, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The Veteran's sinusitis has not been shown on X-ray evidence to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral cataracts as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The initial rating claim for bipolar disorder was also granted with a 10 percent disability rating effective August 1, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeals of his claims for hepatitis B, bipolar disorder, and high cholesterol.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and chronic acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder are all found to have been incurred in service.

The appellant is not service-connected for any condition and did not serve the required 90 days of active duty, thus he does not meet the criteria for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was not timely filed, and thus denied his appeal for service connection for bipolar disorder, low back disorder, and hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and inadequate VA examination. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and granted service connection for schizophrenia, chronic paranoid type. The Veteran's current diagnosis of a depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and organic mental condition with dementia is also supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, is granted service connection as the evidence supports a link between his in-service symptoms and his current diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, and alcohol dependence. The Veteran's claim was based on alleged exposure to stressors during military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding medical records from various facilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to incomplete STRs and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the inadequacy of a previous VA examination and the need for further medical opinions regarding his claimed psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied service connection for stroke residuals and bipolar disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins of the left leg, finding that there was no in-service disease or injury leading to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical development and to make specific findings regarding service connection, aggravation of pre-existing conditions, and the provisions related to the presumption of soundness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depressive disorder are related to an in-service personal assault. The claim is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disorder during service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.