The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depression with psychotic features and bipolar disorder, was rated at 50% prior to March 18, 2008. From March 18, 2008 to August 7, 2013, the rating increased to 70%. Prior to September 20, 2012, he did not meet criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. From September 20, 2012, he met these criteria.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric disability resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to March 18, 2008, but not total occupational and social impairment as required for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depression with psychotic features, Bipolar Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 3, 2015
- Citation
- 1537787
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 1537787.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating effective August 8, 2018.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not attributable to his active duty service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and for a right knee condition are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ must attempt to verify the claimed stressor events and provide a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as a failure to provide an adequate VA examination prior to the rating decision.
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