The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's bipolar disorder is related to his in-service stressors and awarded service connection for this condition as well. However, the initial evaluation for bipolar disorder remains pending due to a need for further information regarding whether PTSD represents a progression of or a separate condition from bipolar disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD was related to his combat deployments and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased rating for bipolar disorder is remanded as there are conflicting opinions on whether PTSD should be considered a progression of bipolar disorder, or if they represent separate conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2015
- Citation
- 1511975
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 1511975.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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