The VA denied the veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected depressive reaction, finding that his current psychiatric impairment is due to nonservice-connected personality disorder, alcohol dependence, and cannabis abuse; his service-connected depressive reaction is asymptomatic.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current psychiatric impairment was attributed to nonservice-connected conditions (personality disorder, alcohol dependence, and cannabis abuse) rather than the service-connected depressive reaction.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Reaction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 23, 2004
- Citation
- 0431055
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 0431055.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal for an earlier effective date of November 10, 2005, for the grant of service connection for PTSD is dismissed. The appeal for SMC benefits based on housebound or need of aid and attendance is remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's depressive reaction was rated at a noncompensable level since March 12, 1968. The Board found that there was no factually ascertainable increase in severity of his condition within one year prior to the July 3, 2017 claim for an increased rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 100% rating for service-connected depressive reaction with PTSD is denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for pancreatitis is remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD with Depressive Reaction and Depression is rated at 70 percent since October 1, 1980. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent from August 30, 2011 to April 21, 2020, while the left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent during the same period.
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