The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, alcohol dependence, substance-induced mood disorder and opiate and benzodiazepine abuse, right knee condition, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (claimed as a right leg condition), stomach condition, and residuals of tinea pedis treatment (claimed as jungle rot of the feet) were denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's alcohol dependence, drug dependence and substance-induced mood disorder results from his voluntary use of drugs and alcohol. The right knee fracture did not increase in severity during service. Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity resulted from the voluntary use of alcohol. The currently diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders are not related to service. There is no evidence of residuals of tinea pedis treatment, and the fall injury at the Mountain Home VAMC was not caused by VA's fault.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, alcohol dependence, substance-induced mood disorder, right knee condition, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity (claimed as a right leg condition), stomach condition, residuals of tinea pedis treatment (claimed as jungle rot of the feet)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 8, 2009
- Citation
- 0900739
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
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