The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for bipolar II disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were found to result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not more severe manifestations as required for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar II disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25038579
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,676 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A25038579.
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 bipolar II disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are granted a disability rating of 70 percent. The claim for an increased rating for scoliosis is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar II disorder, a left elbow disorder, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for TDIU is also remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including posttraumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorders. The evidence supports the conclusion that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.
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