The Board denied service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder, including organic brain syndrome with personality disorder and depressive syndrome, due to clear and unmistakable evidence showing the condition pre-existed service. The Veteran's National Guard service did not aggravate this condition.
The deciding factor: Clear and unmistakable evidence showed that the Veteran's pre-existing neuropsychiatric disability existed prior to his periods of service in the National Guard, and there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of its aggravation during such service.
- Claimed conditions
- neuropsychiatric disorder, organic brain syndrome with personality disorder and depressive syndrome
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2009
- Citation
- 0917816
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 0917816.
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 remands the claim for an SOC addressing service connection for a neuropsychiatric disorder secondary to a back condition.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication for several conditions due to new and relevant evidence. Some claims were denied, and others were remanded for further review.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding new and material evidence. The issues of entitlement to service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed before a final decision can be made.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if any neuropsychiatric disorders are related to service and whether they were aggravated by service. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after this development.
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