The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and hypertension, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The effective date for service connection of these conditions has been set to April 6, 2009. The Board also granted the Veteran a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms have caused significant impairment in work and social functioning, warranting a higher rating than what was previously assigned. His bipolar disorder has been reopened on new evidence, leading to an earlier effective date for service connection. The Board also found that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder, Bipolar disorder, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20023668
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 20023668.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and active duty service or herbicide exposure.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and has remanded the issue of an increased rating for skin condition.
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.