Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and is granting it. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, is found to be related to his in-service experiences. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities is granted.

The Board found that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday due to mental health conditions, and thus denied the claim for helpless child status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 28, 2005, for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to a lack of consideration of applicable regulations.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, which the Board finds requires further examination to determine their etiology. The remaining claims are also remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish chronicity of a disease during service.

The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing psychiatric disability and denied service connection for bipolar disorder as there is no medical opinion linking the current condition to active military service.

The Board found that bipolar disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, SSA disability determination information, and a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed PTSD or other psychiatric disorders are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, and as a result, also grants service connection for Bipolar Disorder and Schizoaffective Disorder due to the overlap in symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has been rated at a 50 percent since August 2004, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate for the entire period of time covered by the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of any acquired psychiatric pathology, including PTSD and other diagnoses such as bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. The case will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding insufficient evidence of a chronic psychiatric disorder during service or within one year after service. The Court remanded the case due to failure to consider relevant medical history and applicable regulation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD and found that new evidence supports reopening. The Board also determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, but did not rule out other psychiatric conditions such as bipolar affective disorder and depression.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to July 20, 2001 for a 70 percent rating for service-connected bipolar disorder due to lack of factual ascertainability of an increase in disability during the year prior to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bipolar disorder is denied. The appeal regarding compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left wrist and hand disability remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance, as she is able to perform her activities of daily living without requiring assistance from another person.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizophrenia and/or a bipolar disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric condition.