{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/bipolar-disorder-manic-depressive-psychosis","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:24.600Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive psychosis)","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":1947,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":33.7,"denied_pct":22.3,"remanded_pct":41.9,"granted_on_merits_pct":60.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":124,"granted_pct":25,"denied_pct":24.2,"remanded_pct":43.5},{"year":2018,"issues":272,"granted_pct":31.6,"denied_pct":16.5,"remanded_pct":44.5},{"year":2019,"issues":275,"granted_pct":30.5,"denied_pct":23.3,"remanded_pct":42.5},{"year":2020,"issues":244,"granted_pct":36.1,"denied_pct":21.7,"remanded_pct":39.8},{"year":2021,"issues":188,"granted_pct":28.7,"denied_pct":26.6,"remanded_pct":42},{"year":2022,"issues":179,"granted_pct":33.5,"denied_pct":15.6,"remanded_pct":45.3},{"year":2023,"issues":207,"granted_pct":32.4,"denied_pct":19.8,"remanded_pct":44},{"year":2024,"issues":240,"granted_pct":38.3,"denied_pct":22.1,"remanded_pct":37.5},{"year":2025,"issues":214,"granted_pct":33.2,"denied_pct":29,"remanded_pct":36.9},{"year":2026,"issues":69,"granted_pct":47.8,"denied_pct":21.7,"remanded_pct":30.4}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.7,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":288,"granted_pct_with":81.2,"granted_pct_without":54.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1301,"granted_pct_with":56.5,"granted_pct_without":72.2},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":429,"granted_pct_with":86.6,"granted_pct_without":48},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":796,"granted_pct_with":60.2,"granted_pct_without":60.2},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":713,"granted_pct_with":71.3,"granted_pct_without":51.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":178,"granted_pct_with":68.4,"granted_pct_without":59},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1552,"granted_pct_with":57.8,"granted_pct_without":73.8},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":68,"granted_pct_with":80.5,"granted_pct_without":59.4},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":88,"granted_pct_with":47.1,"granted_pct_without":60.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":62},{"reason":"symptoms approximated total occupational and social impairment","decisions":10},{"reason":"occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas","decisions":9},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":8},{"reason":"holistic analysis of symptoms considered","decisions":8},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":7}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":45},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":27},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":26},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":21},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":14},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":12}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26039422","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN Z. JONES","rationale":"Restoration of 50% rating warranted due to lack of improvement in veteran's ability to function.; Evidence supports 70% rating due to symptoms like suicidal ideation, near-constant anxiety, and memory impairment.; Earlier effective date for 70% rating granted due to continuous pursuit of claim."},{"case_id":"A26039468","year":2026,"judge":"STEVEN D. REISS","rationale":"RO favorably found diagnosis of bipolar disorder, type II, and treated in service.; Veteran found normal upon examination shortly after enlistment.; Presumption of soundness upon entrance to service not rebutted.; Consistent lay statements found credible and probative.; Resolving all doubt in vetera… [truncated, 38 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26036887","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. HERMAN","rationale":"Favorable private medical opinion linking bipolar disorder to military experiences; Inadequate VA examiner opinion; Evidence in approximate balance, resolved in Veteran's favor"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26029923","year":2026,"judge":"CHRISTOPHER SEPPANEN","rationale":"Symptoms approximated 30% rating criteria; Ameliorative effects of medication considered; Intact memory, insight, judgment, grooming, speech, thought processes at exam"},{"case_id":"A26025301","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"VA examiner concluded in-service symptoms were not early signs of bipolar disorder; Immature personality disorder not a currently available diagnosis; Bipolar disorder did not manifest in service or relate to service"},{"case_id":"A26024308","year":2026,"judge":"JOHN Z. JONES","rationale":"Evidence weighs against service connection.; November 2016 VA exam found disorder less likely than not related to service.; No persistent symptoms or treatment during service."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}