The VA has denied an increased evaluation for bipolar disorder, currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the veteran's occupational and social impairment is primarily due to nonservice-connected vascular dementia.
The deciding factor: The clinical evidence does not support a higher rating as the veteran's current difficulties are related to his progressive vascular dementia rather than his service-connected bipolar disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Bipolar Disorder, Vascular Dementia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 20, 2001
- Citation
- 0126573
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 0126573.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for ADHD, finding that it clearly and unmistakably preexisted the Veteran's service but was aggravated by military service. The claim for bipolar disorder was remanded for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his cognitive impairment, which was part of his service-connected mental health disability, contributed to his fatal ingestion of battery fluid.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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