The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder is found to be related to an in-service personal assault, and the claim for service connection is granted. The ED is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for left knee disability, hypertension, and bilateral eye disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder was linked to an in-service sexual assault based on credible supporting evidence from fellow servicemen who corroborated the assault and its impact on the Veteran. The ED is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. New and material evidence has been received for left knee disability, hypertension, and bilateral eye disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- February 25, 2016
- Citation
- 1607403
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 1607403.
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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