The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of DSM-5 diagnosis, granted service connection for bipolar 1 disorder based on in-service stressor and continuous lay evidence of symptoms, and granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss based on in-service acoustic trauma. The respiratory disability claim was remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: PTSD was denied because no valid DSM-5 diagnosis existed during the claim period; bipolar 1 disorder was granted because evidence was at least evenly balanced regarding the relationship between the in-service naval incident and the current psychiatric disability; bilateral hearing loss was granted because audiometric testing met disability criteria and the Veteran's competent lay evidence of hearing loss during and after service was consistent with his military occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as bipolar 1 disorder, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2025
- Citation
- A25044767
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2022, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
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