The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating. However, the claim for an initial rating in excess of 50% since December 19, 2014 was denied.
The deciding factor: The symptoms reported by the Veteran throughout the claims period, including hypervigilance, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, and social withdrawal, were consistent with a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. However, the frequency of panic attacks did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Bipolar II Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- March 7, 2022
- Citation
- 22012782
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 22012782.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD with bipolar II disorder, effective May 1, 2017, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on statutory housebound criteria from March 21, 2023.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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