The Veteran's service-connected major depression and bipolar disorder have been found to be more disabling than previously rated, warranting a 70% rating. However, the evidence does not support a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The presence of suicidal ideation throughout the claim period, along with other serious symptoms, meets the criteria for a 70% rating under the DSM-IV GAF scale. However, there is no evidence that these conditions preclude the Veteran from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 18, 2009
- Citation
- 0905832
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depression.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor based on a corroborated in-service stressor event.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of December 20, 2007 for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and increased ratings to 70% from March 27, 2020 to June 5, 2020, and 100% from June 5, 2020. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied.
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