Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to service connection, including bipolar disorder, hypertension, skin cancer, and residuals of fractured pelvis and left femoral head dislocation.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder was rated at 70 percent effective from May 29, 1992 to May 19, 1999.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's variously diagnosed psychiatric disability, including schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, is not related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the existence and etiology of any current sleep disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, are not service-connected. His skin cancers have been found unrelated to his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder type 2, with dysthymic disorder and insomnia has been rated at 50 percent since August 2000. The Board found that the symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, sleep impairment, flattened affect, suspiciousness, mild memory loss, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships are adequately described by the current rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability was found to be manifested by symptoms comparable to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a rating of 70 percent prior to June 29, 2012. On and after that date, the disability continued to meet these criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of PTSD or anxiety disorder NOS, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the September 17, 2009 Designation of Beneficiary for NSLIP [redacted] is valid and the appellant is entitled to the proceeds.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination, particularly regarding his claimed personal assault in service and any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran is not competent to handle his VA benefits due to significant problems with calculation, unawareness of basic necessities and needs, inability to prioritize expenses, requiring assistance with financial obligations, and risk for giving away or spending large amounts of money inappropriately.

The Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, is found to warrant a total disability evaluation as of January 14, 2004.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but denied her claim of service connection for PTSD due to lack of corroborating evidence. The issue of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is found to be related to his active duty service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the absence of certain records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as there is no legal basis or allegation of clear and unmistakable error in the February 2003 rating decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision on appeal. This includes obtaining updated VA treatment records, seeking SSA records, and obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for a herpes condition are pending.