The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection and has determined that he is entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified trauma disorder and unspecified bipolar disorder. The decision also found that this condition was incurred in service due to a military sexual trauma (MST).
The deciding factor: The Board found credible evidence of the Veteran's in-service stressor of being sexually assaulted during his military service, which led to behavioral changes such as multiple arrests and convictions for aggravated assault. The medical opinions supported that this condition was related to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified trauma disorder, unspecified bipolar disorder
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2023
- Citation
- 23011311
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 23011311.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified bipolar disorder, unspecified trauma & stressor related disorder and opioid use disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran's passing during the pendency of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issues of major depressive disorder and unspecified bipolar disorder and alcohol use (claimed as PTSD).
- Granted
The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected unspecified trauma disorder, and the claim for this connection is granted.
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