The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected bipolar disorder and for service connection of gastrointestinal disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bipolar disorder due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA psychiatric examination.
The deciding factor: The appellant failed to report for a scheduled VA psychiatric examination, which was necessary to determine the current severity of his psychiatric disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastrointestinal disabilities, Bipolar disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2003
- Citation
- 0335778
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0335778.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression was granted. The claim for a low back disability was denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that new evidence supports the readjudication of the claim for service connection for a mental disorder, but dismissed appeals seeking compensable ratings for residuals of right hand 5th metacarpal fracture and left ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine if an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The case is remanded for further action by the AOJ.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, finding that his pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service.
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