Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining treatment records from Arbor Circle and considering whether a current VA examination would be necessary. The case will return to the Board for further appellate consideration.

The Veteran's son, J.T., is entitled to recognition as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to his 18th birthday, primarily attributed to mental and developmental disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for bipolar disorder with psychotic features was granted, as his informal claim dated October 19, 1994, is considered the earliest assignable date.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder were denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis or etiology. The claim for TDIU was also denied due to the absence of a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for bipolar disorder, severe with mood-congruent psychotic features, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination and stressor verification. The issue remains pending as the Veteran has not provided sufficient information to identify claimed stressors.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to verify the appellant's claimed stressors in service, which are necessary for a determination on his claim of service connection for PTSD. The case is being remanded to gather this information and conduct further examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran is diagnosed with a current psychiatric disability, namely PTSD and bipolar disorder, and that there is credible supporting evidence that her stressor events occurred. The Board concludes that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's PTSD is caused by or is a result of her rape in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, as he is able to perform basic self-care functions and does not require substantial confinement.

The Board has recharacterized the issue on appeal as one for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing an in-service onset or aggravation. The head trauma claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for anxiety neurosis was denied in September 1988. The Veteran filed a new claim for increased compensation for bipolar disorder on September 8, 1992. The Board found that the criteria for a 70 percent rating were met from September 8, 1991 to April 16, 2001.

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders and his service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA psychiatric examination and additional development of the Veteran's VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by active duty. The Board found no credible evidence of a nexus between service and the diagnosed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated by it, thus denying service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder and remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury with sciatica, as well as the issue regarding psychiatric disability (including PTSD).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder (to include PTSD) has been granted. The remaining issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.