The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for cyclothymic disorder and a TDIU based on the single service-connected disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational or social impairment, nor did it meet the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric condition did not result in total occupational and social impairment as required for a higher rating, and there was no evidence of permanent housebound status due to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- cyclothymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26020332
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 A26020332.
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: Denied
The Veteran's cyclothymic disorder is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that this level of impairment does not warrant a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from January 1, 2017 to October 27, 2017 due to service-connected disabilities. The temporary total evaluation for convalescence was denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified bipolar and related disorder with anxious distress, depression, anxiety, and cyclothymic disorder, as a pre-decisional duty to assist error was made.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with bipolar disorder and cyclothymic disorder was denied as the evidence did not show an event, disease, or injury in service that caused his disability.
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