The Veteran's bipolar disorder has been rated at 70 percent since September 13, 2004. The Board found that the current level of impairment does not warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows total occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, sleep impairment, poor concentration, inability to handle stress, difficulty establishing and maintaining relationships, and prior suicide attempt. However, the Board found that these symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar disorder II
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 28, 2012
- Citation
- 1211281
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 1211281.
What this means for you
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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 claims for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disability and a TDIU due solely to service-connected acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded because the VA did not provide him with a new VA examination, which is a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.
- Denied
The Veteran's increased rating claim for bipolar disorder II with alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder was denied. The compensable hearing loss claim was also denied. Service connection for a peripheral vestibular disorder was denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder II, was aggravated by his military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.
- Dismissed
The appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder II and acute psychotic features has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
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