The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bipolar effective disorder was denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to her May 22, 2014 contact.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for benign tumor of the right occipital area with left homonymous upper quadrantanopsia was denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to her May 22, 2014 contact.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sacroiliac strain was denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the one-year period prior to her May 22, 2014 contact.
The deciding factor: There were no facts that could be determined to have occurred within a year of the Veteran's claim for increased ratings which would warrant an earlier effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar effective disorder, benign tumor of the right occipital area with left homonymous upper quadrantanopsia, sacroiliac strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20001270
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,088 · Granted: 33% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
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 20001270.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded two issues: increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and sacroiliac strain, as well as an increased rating for plantar fasciitis of the right foot. The decision does not address service connection theory or exposure basis.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for the service-connected sacroiliac strain has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal in October 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include sacroiliac strain, spondylolisthesis of the fifth lumbar vertebra, osteoarthritis, and degenerative changes with radiculopathy. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.
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.