Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and mental handicap. The Board finds that VA has not completed its duty to assist in obtaining the Veteran's STRs from his reserve service period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, now diagnosed as anxiety-depression reaction with bipolar disorder. The issue of whether he had such a condition in service and if it is related to military service remains under consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating beyond the currently assigned 50 percent.

The appellant withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bipolar disorder and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left inguinal hernia, post-operation residuals, scar. The appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for a digestive system disorder is dismissed due to lack of evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and mood disorder not otherwise specified, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's bipolar-2 disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his knees are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran has a torn meniscus in both knees which warrants separate ratings of 20 percent for each knee.

The Veteran is seeking to have the May 20, 1983 rating decision that awarded a 70 percent schedular evaluation for bipolar disorder reversed due to alleged clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The issue is whether there was CUE in this rating decision. If found, it could affect the effective date of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for paranoid personality disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for paranoid personality disorder. The Board also found that a psychosis was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that she does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as her symptoms do not warrant total occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bipolar disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as hepatic encephalopathy, but the underlying causes were cirrhosis and hepatitis C. The appellant contends that the Veteran died due to his service-connected paranoid schizophrenia. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis of schizophrenia during service and at the time of death.

The Veteran claims service connection for a bipolar disorder, which he alleges is related to his military service. The Board has determined that the current VA examination report is inadequate and requires further review by a new examiner.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders pre-existed service or are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bipolar disorder and partial-complex seizure disorder are not related to her military service, leading to a denial of these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating at any point in the one-year period prior to August 29, 2003. Therefore, the claim for an effective date prior to this date was denied.

The Board finds that additional development is required before the issue on appeal can be decided. The Veteran claims a psychiatric disorder related to service, but there are conflicting opinions regarding whether her condition was related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders did not manifest during or within one year after service and are not related to any aspect of active duty or active duty for training.