The Board found that the veteran's mental disorder was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and is not related to any service-connected disability. The veteran also failed to meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his age, occupation background, and other factors.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current diagnosed alcohol dependence and alcohol-induced depression were not present during or otherwise related to his period of active military service. As such, no basis for granting service connection exists. Additionally, the veteran did not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his age, occupation background, and other factors.
- Claimed conditions
- Mental Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2003
- Citation
- 0335299
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0335299.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and remanded for an addendum to address specific issues related to the Veteran's psychiatric disability.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for a mental disorder and psoriatic arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a mental disorder, finding that there is no evidence of PTSD or other diagnosed mental condition related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's mental disorder is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU is granted. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted.
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