The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to October 22, 2018. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings did not support total occupational and social impairment during this period.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Bipolar Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2019
- Citation
- 19186254
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19186254.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD with Bipolar Disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder prior to August 20, 2020 and denied a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating than 70 percent for PTSD and an earlier effective date prior to November 20, 2020 for the grant of a 100 percent rating has been dismissed as moot because both issues have already been fully granted in the September 2022 rating decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with bipolar disorder from February 12, 2008 to May 10, 2021 is granted. A higher rating of greater than 70 percent is denied. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected PTSD is also granted.
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