The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar I disorder, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms during the period on appeal most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total impairment, as required for a 100 percent disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar I disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25038563
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,017 · Granted: 36% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25038563.
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 claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar I disorder, is denied as there is no evidence connecting these conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 70 percent for service-connected PTSD, bipolar I disorder, alcohol use disorder, and traumatic brain injury with vertigo, diplopia, and convergence insufficiency is dismissed due to a procedural defect.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bipolar I disorder and alcohol use disorder are granted as service connected due to MST. PTSD is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for bipolar I disorder, finding that the condition preexisted the Veteran's military service and was not aggravated by it.
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