Bipolar disorder Board decisions

The Board remands the case for a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the veteran's bipolar disorder is related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine intervertebral disc disease and bipolar disorder as there was no evidence that these conditions were caused or aggravated during, or within one year of separation from, active service.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the previous denials was not new and material, thus denying both claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and a psychiatric disability (claimed as bipolar disorder).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, as there was no evidence of manifestations during service or for many years thereafter.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a complete copy of the veteran's Social Security Administration disability determination and associated medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine if there is at least a 50 percent probability or greater that the veteran's bipolar disorder with mania and psychosis existed prior to service or was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne, headaches, myalgia, COPD and bipolar disorder were denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of chloracne, and the other conditions are not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Board found that the criteria for payment of attorney's fees from past-due benefits based on a grant of service connection for bipolar disorder were met.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and ensure compliance with the Kent v. Nicholson ruling.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted, while his claims for bipolar affective disorder and depression were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically bipolar disorder, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to an injury or disease of service origin.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The veteran was also denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a 10 percent rating for residuals of a fracture of the left distal radius and higher ratings for both the fracture and venereal herpes.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his psychiatric disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The veteran's PTSD with associated Bipolar Disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine his employability based on his psychiatric disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities met the schedular criteria for special monthly compensation effective August 31, 2005. The appeal is denied as there was no basis to assign an earlier effective date.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD. The veteran's current psychiatric disability is considered a personality disorder and not compensable under VA compensation laws.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an abrasion on the right leg, a scar on the back of the head with migraines, and a psychiatric disorder including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for an acquired psychiatric disability, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, or a personality disorder or attention deficit disorder.

The veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating since May 18, 2005.