The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, bipolar disorder type II, PTSD, adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and insomnia disorder. The initial rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied, and the effective dates for the awards of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and tinnitus were also denied.
The deciding factor: The Board granted service connection based on a diagnosis related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during active duty service. The denial of initial rating and earlier effective date was due to insufficient evidence of the disability manifesting in characteristic lesions involving at least 5 percent of the entire body affected or exposed areas, as well as no formal or informal claim for entitlement to service connection prior to May 22, 2023.
- Claimed conditions
- Unspecified depressive disorder, Bipolar disorder type II, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Adjustment disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder, Insomnia disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25097013
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 998 · Granted: 40% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25097013.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of the issue of service connection for 9400 mental disorders, anxiety disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder was dismissed due to concurrent appeals. The claim is considered a supplemental claim for an already adjudicated issue.
- Granted
The Veteran's accrued benefits claim for reimbursement of expenses related to his last sickness is granted, with a total amount of $37,366.56.
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