Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with psychosis and depression, did not have its onset during service or is otherwise related to military service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder with sleep disturbance has been characterized by occupational and social impairment, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to pending issues regarding earlier effective dates for service connection and increased initial ratings. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, including schizophrenia, is being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, are related to his service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain a copy of the decision granting Social Security Disability benefits and any supporting medical records, as well as any pertinent VA or other inpatient/outpatient treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be readjudicated based on this new information.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, was granted. The evidence received since the previous decisions in August 1991 and October 1997 relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for residuals of left hand injury affecting the long, ring and little fingers was granted. Service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left wrist, bipolar disorder, and loss of four upper teeth due to dental trauma were also granted.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his condition did not manifest during active duty and was not aggravated by ACDUTRA. The Board concluded that there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and military service.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for service-connected depression with anxiety, adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, and bipolar disorder has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid type schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, and panic attacks, had their onset in service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded due to insufficient findings in the VA examination report and the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to various issues, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) and hepatitis C is being considered.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital is denied as the treatment was not for an emergency and did not meet the criteria for VA reimbursement.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for VA treatment records from October 3, 2006, to the present. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending and will be reconsidered after these records have been obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar II disorder originated during his service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The other service-connected conditions do not warrant separate ratings.