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
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 3,319 · Granted: 25% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0900739.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran meets the basic medical eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits due to his need for personal care services based on symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment or injury. However, further clinical evaluation is needed to determine if participation in the program is in the Veteran's best interest.
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