The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is a substance-induced mood disorder related to his polysubstance abuse/dependence, for which VA compensation is not payable. The TDIU claim was also denied as the evidence did not show that the veteran is unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence of a depressive disorder and believed any mood disorder present in the veteran was likely attributable to his polysubstance abuse and/or dependence, which are considered acquired psychiatric disorders resulting from the veteran's own willful misconduct.
- Claimed conditions
- Substance-induced mood disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 15, 2008
- Citation
- 0827761
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 0827761.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including a substance-induced mood disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis and no evidence linking such disorders to service or service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his claimed stressors and any acquired psychiatric disorders.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a substance-induced mood disorder, depression, and anxiety as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.
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