What Is The Va Disability Rating For Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is diagnostic code 9432 under mental disorders in 38 Code of Federal Regulations Section 4130 Schedule of Ratings for Mental Disorders.

What is the va disability rating for bipolar disorder. Veterans with more severe bipolar disorder symptoms such as an intermittent inability to perform the activities of daily living or suicidal ideation may receive a higher rating disability rating. These conditions may include depression PTSD eating disorders anxiety disorders bipolar disorder and more. Veterans with bipolar disorder can experience a range of symptoms including noticeable swings in energy mood or hours of sleep needed. ANY form of mental disorder other than those that exist from childhood can be found to be Service Connected with a disability rating.

For Reservists the condition must have occurred in or resulted from an injury in the Line of Duty to qualify. The VA bases its ratings for mental illness on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV as well as the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale GAF psychology scale. But establishing a mental disorder as service-connected can certainly make things somewhat easier by giving the veteran access to care. Bipolar disorder is considered a mood disorder by the VA and is rated according to the Psychological Rating System.

The VA awards disability compensation for each Mental Disorder that is service-connectedThe DoD will also rate service-connected Mental Disorders as long as they also make the service member Unfit for Duty. If you were diagnosed with bipolar disorder during or after your time in uniform you may qualify for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs VA disability compensation program. The Veteran appealed that decision to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims CAVC. Veterans that are applying for a schizoaffective disorder VA disability rating for veterans benefits are often also bipolar.

Qualifying for Disability Benefits Based on the Bipolar Disorder Listing. To answer your question Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder mental disorder. Even then in most cases a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder would not be appropriate. This decision increased the rating for bipolar disorder to 70 prior to May 5 2010.

First you need to get a current diagnosis of a mental disability. 0 This is rare but is sometimes assigned when the veteran clearly suffers from bipolar disorder but their symptoms are so infrequent or mild that their work and social life is unaffected. I cannot tell you whether this is permanent since it varies and depends on the person and the therapy treatment they receive. If your bipolar disorder prevents you from working you may be eligible to receive Total Disability Individual Unemployability TDIU benefits from the Veterans Administration.

This listing was updated signficantly in January 2017. Representation by a lawyer who presents lay testimony and organized evidence can help boost your VA disability rating and your compensation. The emotional and mental effects of serving on active duty in the US military can leave a veteran with long-term psychological conditions. Bipolar disorder involves distinct periods of unusually elevated high energy lasting for at least several days manic or hypomanic episodes often accompanied by an overly good mood.

It also determined a 50 rating beginning on that date. Understanding the VA Disability Rating Levels The VAs rating range for bipolar disorder is from 10 to 100 depending on how serious the symptoms are and how much they affect your daily life. To qualify under the SSAs official listing for bipolar disorder you must have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder I or II and a history of specific severe symptoms causing a decrease in your abilities. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Mental Disorders are by far the most difficult medical conditions to rate. The schedule for rating for mental disorders is set forth as follows. In general in order to get VA benefits for a psychiatric disabilities such as depression anxiety bipolar disorder or schizophrenia you need to establish the main elements of service-connection between your psychiatric disability and your time in the military. Rating agencies must be thoroughly familiar with this manual to properly implement the directives in 4125 through 4129 and to apply the general rating formula for mental disorders in 4130.

The VA rates disabilities according to loss of function and the effect on your ability to work and earn a living. What Are the 8 Categories of Mental Disorders Eligible for VA Compensation Claims. Depression can easily accompany any ongoing illness am accident etc. The Board issued a new decision in February 2015.

Its listed in their Schedule for Rating Disabilities under Mental Disorders and specifically under Mood Disorders. Bipolar disorder is considered a disability by the VA. For example if a veteran is experiencing mild bipolar disorder symptoms they may receive a disability rating of only 10. To assign a 70 rating the VA must find symptoms such as suicidal ideation ritualistic behaviors illogical speech nearly continuous panic or depression impaired impulse control difficulty adapting to stress neglect of personal appearance or an inability to maintain relationships work or social.

TDIU benefits are specifically for veterans that have service-connected disabilities that prevent them from working. The potential ratings you may receive under this system are.