Bipolar disorder decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The Veteran's claim is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as bipolar disorder and depression.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric issues are unrelated to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic psychiatric disorder in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, as well as his claim for a sleep disorder. The Veteran's current psychiatric disorders are considered to be related to post-service substance abuse.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for bipolar disorder, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for depression and anxiety with stress prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, personality disorder, major depressive disorder, mood disorder and a nervous breakdown. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide the Veteran with a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not incurred in service.

The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent, as his symptoms have not caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder did not render him helpless or in need of regular aid and attendance, as his stroke residuals were the primary cause of his inability to care for himself.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to inconsistencies in his statements about the onset of symptoms and a need for further examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is likely related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of in-service events, symptoms, or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder was denied. The Board found no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and did not find any evidence linking his psychiatric disabilities to service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's depression and bipolar disorder were found to have onset in service, specifically during his active military service from July 1968 to November 1970. The Board granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type; schizophrenia; schizophreniform disorder; and bipolar II disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims file.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, are found to be related to his military service. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is back before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) following a Board Remand in June 2010. The issues include entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder, an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and TDIU.