The Board denied the claim as the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's drug overdose was caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical opinion linking the fatal drug overdose to the veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Ingrown Toenail
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 22, 2000
- Citation
- 0013407
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 0013407.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 unemployable since March 20, 2014, and the Board granted an effective date of that date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was granted a rating of 100 percent, and service connection for migraines secondary to PTSD was also granted. The other issues were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for alcohol abuse, personality disorder, right wrist pain, and ingrown toenail.
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