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
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.
- Denied
The Board denied a higher rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and bipolar II disorder, as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a more severe disability rating.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar II disorder, finding that November 23, 2020, is the earliest effective date assignable by law.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for bipolar II disorder from June 7, 2010, to May 25, 2016, and denied an initial compensable disability rating for the left ring finger chip fracture.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 31, 2019, for the award of a 100 percent rating for bipolar II disorder.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.