The Veteran's claims of service connection for psychiatric disability (characterized as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) were reopened, and the claim was granted. The application to reopen a claim of service connection for tinnitus was denied. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder with psychotic features and bipolar affective disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence presented since the July 2008 Board decision included information that related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for psychiatric disability, specifically the absence of a clear and unmistakable (obvious or manifest) evidence demonstrating that any pre-existing psychiatric disability was not aggravated in service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features","diagnosis_date":null,"service_connection_status":"granted"}, {"condition_name":"Bipolar Affective Disorder","diagnosis_date":null,"service_connection_status":"granted"}
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2019
- Citation
- 19185415
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for sarcoidosis as new and relevant evidence has been received since the previous denial.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a left-hand condition is dismissed as the Veteran was granted service connection for mononeuropathy to the left hand fourth finger with parasthesia of skin in an October 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.
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