The Veteran's claim for separate ratings for additional psychiatric conditions other than mood disorder due to known psychological condition with other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and unspecified bipolar disorder, as well as a rating in excess of 30 percent for his mood disorder, has been denied. The Board found that the symptoms overlap and do not warrant separate ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are considered service-connected and their overlapping symptomatology does not allow for separate ratings under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- Mood Disorder, Other Specified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder, Unspecified Bipolar Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2026
- Citation
- A26020652
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 A26020652.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and mood disorders, effective from February 7, 2012. The Veteran's claim was ongoing until the RO granted service connection for PTSD in July 2020.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD and unspecified bipolar disorder with TBI was denied, as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for such a rating prior to July 10, 2024.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received in relation to the claim on appeal, warranting readjudication of the issue. The Veteran's ED is claimed as secondary to his service-connected mood disorder including side effects of medications taken for his mood disorder.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression/major depressive disorder, mood disorder, anxiety/generalized anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed moods. The case is remanded for further consideration.
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