The Veteran's bipolar-2 disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his knees are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran has a torn meniscus in both knees which warrants separate ratings of 20 percent for each knee.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bipolar-2 disorder causes significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but does not result in total occupational and social impairment, warranting the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 9432. The torn meniscus in both knees warrants separate ratings of 20 percent each.
- Claimed conditions
- Bipolar-2 Disorder, Chondromalacia Patella of the Right Knee, Chondromalacia Patella of the Left Knee, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease and Degenerative Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 4, 2009
- Citation
- 0920931
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 0920931.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to inadequate examination report.
- Granted
The reduction of the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disability ratings from 40% to 20% was improper, and the prior ratings are restored.
- Denied
The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been denied. The Board also found that TDIU was granted as of January 16, 2010, but not earlier.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
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