The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bipolar disorder with panic disorder and agoraphobia was denied as there was no prior informal or formal claim filed before February 5, 2003.
The deciding factor: The veteran did not file a valid claim for service connection prior to February 5, 2003, which is the date of his request to reopen his previously denied claim in October 1983.
- Claimed conditions
- Bipolar disorder, Panic disorder with agoraphobia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 21, 2007
- Citation
- 0718652
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 0718652.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.