Bipolar disorder decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and assigned a 50 percent rating, but denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's schizophrenia is considered related to his in-service sexual trauma.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent effective January 15, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as bipolar affective disorder and depression, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining records related to his military sexual trauma (MST), personnel records from his active service, and a VA examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist. The examiner must address the Veteran's alleged MST event, alcoholism during service, assessment for irritability and anger in May 1982, and self-medication with alcohol.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's attorney submitted a timely substantive appeal on June 4, 2012 for the denial of service connection for schizoaffective disorder. The Board finds that this appeal was valid and grants the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for further development, including obtaining medical records from the San Diego VA Medical Center and the County of San Diego. The appeal will be considered again after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been evaluated at 50 percent disabling throughout the appeal period, with GAF scores ranging from 42 to 71. The symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, specifically bipolar disorder. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran had a psychiatric disability in service and that it persisted since then.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for epilepsy and bipolar disorder were denied as there is no competent evidence of these conditions during his active service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits decision and securing VA treatment records. A psychiatric examination will also be arranged to assess the severity of her service-connected bipolar disorder with panic disorder and agoraphobia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and to secure outstanding records, including VA treatment records from before 2008, SSA disability benefits records, and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for incompetency to handle VA benefits is being remanded due to the need for a new psychiatric examination to determine his current mental capacity and competency.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, to include anxiety, was rated at 50 percent prior to December 22, 2010. Effective from December 22, 2010, the Veteran is granted a 100 percent rating for his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability. The claim will now be reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (previously claimed as a personality disorder) has been reopened and is granted. The claim for TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, stroke, PTSD, depression, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction and tinnitus have been denied. The Veteran did not engage in combat and has not shown a verified or verifiable service-related stressor on which a diagnosis of PTSD can be based.,Depression, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction were not manifested during service and are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD or other acquired psychiatric disorders, as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis and the clinical records do not establish an in-service onset.

The Board is unable to make a final determination on the service connection claims due to insufficient evidence, and has therefore remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder due to new evidence submitted. However, the issue of whether these conditions are related to service remains pending as it is unclear if there was a personal assault stressor or other in-service event that could support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder has caused significant impairment in social and occupational functioning, but not to the extent that it would warrant a 100% rating. The evidence does not support total occupational and social impairment.