The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as mood disorder with anxious, depressive and hypomaniac or maniac symptoms, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his high-pressure military occupation as an air traffic controller. Service connection for this condition is granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner stated that it was at least as likely as not that the Veteran's mood disorder was related to his high-stress job as an air traffic controller in the military.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (Mood Disorder with anxious, depressive and hypomaniac or maniac symptoms), Polysubstance Dependence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2017
- Citation
- 1746376
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1746376.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and polysubstance dependence, as well as hypertension. The claims for peripheral neuropathy were remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with polysubstance dependence and TBI resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas prior to December 1, 2019. From December 1, 2019, to July 5, 2021, the impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Beginning September 1, 2021, the impairment continued without meeting the criteria for a higher rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, MDD, and Polysubstance Dependence have been granted. The rating assigned is not specified.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is now pending.
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