The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as her bipolar disorder disability rating of 30% did not meet the requirement of being permanently and totally disabled.
The deciding factor: VA determined that the Veteran’s bipolar disorder alone did not render her permanently and totally disabled, despite additional mental health diagnoses and physical disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, possible posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, personality disorder, bulimia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 4, 2010
- Citation
- 1029186
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 1029186.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder, secondary to tinnitus and dismissed the appeal regarding an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for adjustment disorder was remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
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