The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression is manifested by irritability, frustration, depression, passing thoughts of suicide, sleeping difficulties, poor appetite, social avoidance, anhedonia, and a low Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 55. These symptoms are indicative of no more than occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's bipolar disorder with depression is manifested by symptoms consistent with a GAF score of 55, indicating no more than moderate impairment in functioning.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar disorder with depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 23, 2010
- Citation
- 1023500
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 1023500.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder with depression, is found to be related to his military service and the claim for service connection is granted.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his discharge from active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder with depression, and a migraine disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The appeal is not about service connection, but rather the cause of death.
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