The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted. The claim is now reopened, and a new medical opinion found that her bipolar disorder began during active service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral eye disability was also granted. However, the evidence did not relate to any in-service injury or disease, and the Board found no relationship between her current presbyopia and active service.
The deciding factor: The new medical opinion provided a nexus between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder) and her active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disability, Bilateral Eye Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 22, 2023
- Citation
- 23052526
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 23052526.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is rated at 100 percent, and he is granted SMC based on housebound status. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her military service and not a pre-existing condition. The decision also acknowledges that her service-connected disabilities may have contributed to her current mental health issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The AOJ will now consider these claims on their merits.
- Denied
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated as non-compensable.,His acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, is rated at 50 percent.
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