Bipolar disorder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD has been productive of serious, but not total, impairment in occupational and social functioning throughout the appeal period. The current level of severity warrants a rating of 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his bipolar II disorder was not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the current severity of her service-connected bipolar disorder and urinary stress incontinence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected bipolar type II disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent mental health treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM-IV criteria during the appeal period. His current diagnosed condition is bipolar disorder, which the VA examiner opined was less likely related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The claims are pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bipolar disorder had its onset in service or is otherwise related to his active service, and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder is permanent and total, thus meeting the criteria for a permanent total disability rating. As a result, basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 has been established.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, affective disorder and PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for further development of his medical records and a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses was denied because his psychiatric condition had stabilized by October 14, 2009, and a VA facility was available to provide the necessary care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder likely began during her military service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD related to an in-service stressor. The pre-existing personality disorder and other acquired psychiatric disorders were not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder, are not related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar II disorder is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD was denied as there was no verified stressor.

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

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression with suicidal ideation, is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was in need of regular aid and attendance between September 2007 and his death. The case is therefore REMANDED for such development.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses, including PTSD, major depression, schizotypal personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, polysubstance abuse, bipolar disorder, impulse control disorder, and pedophilia, were not caused by or aggravated by his service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, is related to his military service and has been granted service connection. The claim for PTSD was not substantiated.