Bipolar disorder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent disabling prior to October 22, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, and/or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. The Board finds that he is in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disability in service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the Veteran's current bipolar disorder is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, bipolar affective disorder, is unrelated to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services provided by Citrus Memorial Hospital on April 27, 2009 were not reimbursable as the treatment was for a service-connected psychiatric disorder and did not meet the criteria for emergency care.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder results in significant occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. The Board finds that a 70 percent rating is warranted for his disability.

The Board has granted a 100% rating for bipolar disorder with depression, effective January 21, 2005. The Veteran's symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and TDIU benefits are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his bipolar disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disorder that had onset during or as a result of service. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, panic attacks, depression and bipolar disorder, are related to her service and grants her claim for service connection.

The Board found no current evidence of a seizure disorder and denied service connection for this condition. The Veteran's prostate cancer was not linked to his military service, and the claim is denied. Service connection for PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, or anxiety with panic attacks could not be established based on the available evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including fatigue and ulcers, is dismissed as the appeal does not provide additional compensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's physiological tremors are related to his service-connected heart disorder and medications, including beta blockers. As such, service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and assigned an effective date of November 7, 2002. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bipolar disorder and HSV-1, as well as his claim for TDIU, are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bipolar disorder, finding that her claim was not timely filed and thus final. The earliest indication she provided to seek reopening of her claim was on August 26, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C, a psychiatric disorder including bipolar disorder, and ADHD. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and reopened his claims for depression, bipolar disorder, a back injury, and residuals of exposure to ionizing radiation. The claim for substance abuse is also reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain private employment records and for a VA examination to determine if her service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, depression, or bipolar disorder. The service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence linking them to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case.