The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder due to new evidence received after notification of the July 2016 rating decision. However, both conditions were denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD conforming to DSM criteria and no link between bipolar disorder and in-service stressor.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by VA examiners found that the Veteran's diagnoses of PTSD and bipolar disorder are not related to her in-service sexual assault or service, respectively.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Bipolar Disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 8, 2020
- Citation
- A20018134
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 a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to an unclear employment history and a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of July 12, 2022, for a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing was denied as he does not meet the criteria due to his ability to independently ambulate with the use of braces.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the appeal.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.