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 assigned
- 70%
- 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19186254.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.