The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder with symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as specific phobia disorder. However, it denied the claims for depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.
The deciding factor: The VHA examiner found that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions are related to his military service but did not find separate diagnoses of depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. The evidence does not sufficiently substantiate these specific diagnoses.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 10, 2018
- Citation
- 18125776
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 18125776.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's vascular headaches are granted effective August 22, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective February 11, 2015. SMC based on housebound criteria is denied prior to July 14, 2020.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for depressive disorder, effective August 1, 2020, as the reduction was improper and did not comply with applicable regulations.
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