Bipolar Disorder

DC 9432Mental Disorders38 CFR 4.130, DC 9432 — General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders

A mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings between highs (mania) and lows (depression). The VA rates bipolar disorder using the same criteria as PTSD and depression — based on how much it affects your ability to work and maintain relationships.

Rating Levels

Your condition causes total impairment in your ability to work and function socially. You may be a persistent danger to yourself or others, disoriented, or have severe memory loss.

What the VA looks for

Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
Persistent delusions or hallucinations
Grossly inappropriate behavior
Persistent danger of hurting self or others
Inability to perform activities of daily living
Disorientation to time or place
Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting both manic and depressive episodes — the VA needs to see the full picture, including periods of elevated mood, impulsive behavior, and depressive lows.
⚠Bipolar disorder is rated under the same General Rating Formula as PTSD and depression. If you have multiple mental health diagnoses, the VA typically assigns one combined rating (pyramiding rule).
⚠Minimizing manic symptoms at your C&P exam — risky spending, impulsive decisions, sleeplessness, and irritability are all relevant symptoms to report.
⚠Not keeping a mood diary or log — documenting the frequency and duration of mood episodes helps show the pattern of impairment.
⚠Failing to describe how mood episodes affect your job, relationships, and daily routine. Functional impact is what drives the rating.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Mental Disorders (other than PTSD and Eating Disorders)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

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Bipolar Disorder

Rating Levels

Your condition causes total impairment in your ability to work and function socially. You may be a persistent danger to yourself or others, disoriented, or have severe memory loss.

What the VA looks for

Gross impairment in thought processes or communication
Persistent delusions or hallucinations
Grossly inappropriate behavior
Persistent danger of hurting self or others
Inability to perform activities of daily living
Disorientation to time or place
Memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting both manic and depressive episodes — the VA needs to see the full picture, including periods of elevated mood, impulsive behavior, and depressive lows.

⚠Bipolar disorder is rated under the same General Rating Formula as PTSD and depression. If you have multiple mental health diagnoses, the VA typically assigns one combined rating (pyramiding rule).

⚠Minimizing manic symptoms at your C&P exam — risky spending, impulsive decisions, sleeplessness, and irritability are all relevant symptoms to report.

⚠Not keeping a mood diary or log — documenting the frequency and duration of mood episodes helps show the pattern of impairment.

⚠Failing to describe how mood episodes affect your job, relationships, and daily routine. Functional impact is what drives the rating.