The Board found that the veteran's disability rating for cyclothymia was properly reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent, effective November 1, 1996. The Board also determined that a restoration of the 50 percent rating is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence consistently indicated that the veteran's symptomatology was largely influenced by his personality disorder rather than cyclothymia itself.
- Claimed conditions
- cyclothymia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2000
- Citation
- 0000271
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0000271.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including MDD, MDD with psychotic features, anxiety, cyclothymia, delusional disorder, unspecified personality disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The decision concluded that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or to his service-connected sleep apnea.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for adjudication of the Veteran's appeal, as they failed to address evidence favorable to the Veteran and/or were based on inaccurate facts or on the lack of contemporary medical treatment records. The appeal is remanded for additional development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remands and the need for another VA psychiatric examination.
- Granted
Service connection for headaches is granted, and the Veteran's TDIU determination, effective date for service connection of post-surgical spine scar, left elbow scar, and diabetes mellitus are all granted.
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