The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded it was less likely than not that any psychiatric disability had its onset during service or was incurred or related to service due to the absence of a major mood disorder in service, post-service diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, and lack of evidence linking military 'treatment or documentation' to the Veteran's current disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disability (including schizophrenia)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 16, 2009
- Citation
- 0943580
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 0943580.
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: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's in-service mental health symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his current diagnosis of schizophrenia.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including schizophrenia), a stomach ulcer disorder, and a stomach disorder other than an ulcer condition is granted. The issues are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral foot disability, low back disability, and neck disability due to a lack of service treatment records from Fort Leonard Wood. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining missing STRs, scheduling VA examinations, and considering new evidence.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.