Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have PTSD, major depression or bipolar disorder related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and PTSD have been granted service connection, with a 70 percent rating for PTSD effective from February 3, 2009. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim of an effective date prior to January 16, 2008 for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need to adjudicate a CUE claim regarding the October 1976 rating decision that denied service connection for a nervous condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected bipolar disorder was granted, with a 70 percent disability rating effective January 25, 2012. The claim also included consideration of accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bipolar disorder and granted it, based on new opinions from the Veteran's treating physicians that link his current condition to his time in service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) and denied the remaining issues of service connection. The Veteran's eczematoid dermatitis is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder and is now remanding the case for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's current psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, originated during his active service and the Board has determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, hands, and shoulders. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to determine whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 18, 2005 for a 50 percent rating for bipolar disorder. The Veteran's symptoms were more closely productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinion for all psychiatric disorders other than PTSD. The Veteran's current diagnoses of Bipolar disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder are also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with appropriate examinations to determine the etiology of his shin splints and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bipolar disorder with PTSD, which was initially rated as 30 percent disabling and later increased to 70 percent effective April 5, 2000, is granted. The effective date for the 70 percent rating remains April 5, 2000.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation. The residuals of his right eye orbital fracture are rated at 10 percent.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorder, began during service due to his inability to perform parachute jumps as a result of physical ailments in service. The diagnosis is considered direct service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and obtain his service personnel records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD with bipolar disorder NOS, is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder, were incurred during his active service due to a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disabilities are granted with an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to June 18, 2012, and in excess of 50 percent since then. The claims for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and uterine fibroids have been reopened but not decided.