PSYCHOSIS NOS

Summary

The Veteran, an Army Veteran with service from January 2010 to February 2011, including combat service in Afghanistan, appeals the denial of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran sought readjudication of a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, submitting a supplemental claim in November 2025. The Board found that new and relevant evidence had been received since the last rating decision in July 2023, warranting readjudication. The Board granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), citing a July 2021 rating decision that favorably found a current PTSD diagnosis, a January 2025 decision that favorably found combat service in Afghanistan, and VA treatment records from July 2016 diagnosing "PTSD (combat)" by a VA psychiatrist, linking it to combat service. However, service connection for bipolar disorder was denied. While the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder and reported psychiatric symptoms during service, a November 2016 VA examination concluded the disorder was less likely than not related to service, attributing reported symptoms to the deployment period without evidence of persistent symptoms or treatment during service. The Board found no competent medical opinion to refute this conclusion or link the bipolar disorder to service, noting the medical complexity of distinguishing psychiatric disorder origins and the Veteran's lack of medical expertise to provide such an opinion. The Board found the evidence persuasively weighed against a service connection for bipolar disorder.

Rationale

New and relevant evidence received since July 2023 rating decision.; VA examination and treatment records support readjudication.

Full Decision Text

Citation Nr: A26024308
Decision Date: 03/18/26	Archive Date: 03/18/26

DOCKET NO. 251121-608140
DATE: March 18, 2026

ORDER

The request to readjudicate a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.

Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted.

Service connection for bipolar disorder is denied.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder was denied in a July 2023 rating decision, and evidence received since then is both new and relevant to the claim.

2. PTSD is etiologically related to the Veteran's combat service in Afghanistan.

3. The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that bipolar disorder began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1. The criteria for readjudicating a previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder have been met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 5103A, 5108; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.156, 3.2501.

2. The criteria for service connection for PTSD have been met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304.

3. The criteria for service connection for bipolar disorder have not been met.  38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303, 3.304.

REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

The Veteran had active service in the U.S. Army from January 2010 to February 2011, with additional service in the Army National Guard.  An initial rating decision was issued in July 2023; therefore, the modernized review system, also known as the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), applies.

In July 2024, the Veteran submitted a VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim, and requested readjudication of the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder most recently addressed in July 2023.  In January 2025, the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) issued the supplemental claim decision on appeal, which found that new and relevant evidence had not been received.  Therefore, the Board must determine whether new and relevant evidence has been received based only on the evidence of record at the time of the decision on appeal and any evidence submitted during the applicable evidentiary window.

In his November 21, 2025, VA Form 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), the Veteran elected the Evidence Submission docket.  Therefore, the Board may only consider the evidence of record at the time of the January 2025 AOJ decision on appeal, as well as any evidence submitted by the Veteran or his representative with, or within 90 days from receipt of, the VA Form 10182.  38 C.F.R. § 20.303.  If evidence was submitted either (1) during the period after the AOJ issued the decision on appeal and prior to the date the Board received the VA Form 10182, or (2) more than 90 days following the date the Board received the VA Form 10182, the Board did not consider it in its decision.  38 C.F.R. §§ 20.300, 20.303, 20.801. 

If the Veteran would like VA to consider any evidence that was submitted that the Board could not consider, the Veteran may file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) and submit or identify this evidence.  38 C.F.R. § 3.2501.  If the evidence is new and relevant, VA will issue another decision on the claims, considering the new evidence in addition to the evidence previously considered.  Id.  Specific instructions for filing a Supplemental Claim are included with this decision. 

Previously Denied Claim

A claimant may request readjudication of a previously denied claim if new and relevant evidence is presented or secured.  VA will readjudicate the claim taking into consideration all the evidence of record.  "New evidence" means existing evidence not previously submitted to agency decisionmakers. "Relevant evidence" means evidence that tends to prove or disprove a matter in issue.  38 C.F.R. § 2501(a).

Acquired psychiatric disorder

As noted above, a July 2023 rating decision denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.  The basis of that denial was that the evidence did not establish a link
 Id.  Specific instructions for filing a Supplemental Claim are included with this decision. 

Previously Denied Claim

A claimant may request readjudication of a previously denied claim if new and relevant evidence is presented or secured.  VA will readjudicate the claim taking into consideration all the evidence of record.  "New evidence" means existing evidence not previously submitted to agency decisionmakers. "Relevant evidence" means evidence that tends to prove or disprove a matter in issue.  38 C.F.R. § 2501(a).

Acquired psychiatric disorder

As noted above, a July 2023 rating decision denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.  The basis of that denial was that the evidence did not establish a link between the currently diagnosed conditions and service.

Since the July 2023 rating decision, additional evidence was secured.  This includes a January 2025 VA examination which diagnosed bipolar disorder and found PTSD to not be present.  The examiner stated that the Veteran did not identify any specific stressor events or current stressor-related symptoms, and therefore there was no nexus as it related to his claim for PTSD.

This evidence is new because it was not part of the record at the time of the July 2023 denial.  It is also relevant as it tends to disprove a matter at issue, namely the link between a current disability and service.  Therefore, new and relevant evidence has been received and readjudication of the claim on the merits is warranted.

Service Connection

Service connection may be granted for disability resulting from disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.  38 U.S.C. § 1110.  Establishing service connection generally requires competent evidence of three things: (1) a current disability; (2) in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and (3) a causal relationship, i.e., a nexus, between the claimed in-service disease or injury and the current disability.  Holton v. Shinseki, 557 F.3d 1362, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2009); 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a).

PTSD

Service connection for PTSD requires (1) medical evidence diagnosing the condition in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 4.125(a); (2) credible supporting evidence that a claimed in-service stressor occurred; and (3) a link, established by medical evidence, between current symptoms and the in-service stressor.  38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f); Arzio v. Shinseki, 602 F.3d 1343, 1347 (Fed. Cir. 2010).

A July 2021 rating decision favorably found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of PTSD.  The January 2025 rating decision favorably found that the Veteran performed combat service in Afghanistan.  In addition, VA treatment records from July 2016 show a diagnosis of "PTSD (combat)" rendered under the DSM-5 criteria by a VA psychiatrist.  Therefore, the claims file reflects a current diagnosis of PTSD linked by a VA psychiatrist to the Veteran's combat service in Afghanistan and service connection is appropriate.

Bipolar disorder

The AOJ favorably found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of bipolar disorder.  Service treatment records show he reported various psychiatric symptoms as part of a January 2011 post-deployment questionnaire, including increased irritability, trouble sleeping, little interest or pleasure in doing things, feeling down or depressed, and feeling numb or detached.  However, the evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the bipolar disorder began during service or is otherwise related to in-service symptoms. 

A November 2016 VA examiner concluded that bipolar disorder was less likely than not related to service.  She acknowledged the reported symptoms during service but stated that these were likely limited to the Veteran's deployment.  There was otherwise no evidence of any persistent mental health symptoms or treatment during service.  Although not cited by the examiner, the Board notes that an additional post-deployment health questionnaire from August 2011 shows the Veteran denied the presence of the previously reported symptoms.  The examiner went on to cite VA treatment records from July 2016, which showed the Veteran reported only a one-year history of mental health symptoms.

There is no competent medical opinion to refute this conclusion or otherwise link the Veteran's bipolar disorder to service.  To the extent that the Veteran has asserted such a link, he has not been shown to have the necessary medical knowledge or training to provide a competent opinion on the matter.  The issue is medically complex, as it requires knowledge distinguishing the different characteristics and origins of various psychiatric disabilities.  Jandreau v. Nicholson, 492 F.3d 1372, 1377 n.4 (Fed. Cir. 200
 Veteran denied the presence of the previously reported symptoms.  The examiner went on to cite VA treatment records from July 2016, which showed the Veteran reported only a one-year history of mental health symptoms.

There is no competent medical opinion to refute this conclusion or otherwise link the Veteran's bipolar disorder to service.  To the extent that the Veteran has asserted such a link, he has not been shown to have the necessary medical knowledge or training to provide a competent opinion on the matter.  The issue is medically complex, as it requires knowledge distinguishing the different characteristics and origins of various psychiatric disabilities.  Jandreau v. Nicholson, 492 F.3d 1372, 1377 n.4 (Fed. Cir. 2007); see also Kahana v. Shinseki, 24. Vet. App. 428 (2011).  Therefore, service connection for bipolar disorder is not warranted.

 

 

JOHN Z. JONES

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Patel, Shamil

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.