The Veteran's claims for bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder, tinnitus, and PTSD with alcohol dependence have been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for tinnitus has been reopened due to new evidence received since the September 2014 rating decision. Service connection for tinnitus is granted. A 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with alcohol dependence prior to May 1, 2018 is granted, but a higher rating is denied from that date onwards.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his claims of bipolar disorder and substance abuse disorder. The reopened claim of service connection for tinnitus was supported by new evidence showing the onset during active duty military service and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran's lay testimony regarding the disability's onset. For PTSD with alcohol dependence, the rating is granted based on occupational and social impairment prior to May 1, 2018, but not from that date onwards.
- Claimed conditions
- bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder, tinnitus, PTSD with alcohol dependence
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20037850
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 20037850.
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 has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
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