The Board determined that the appellant's bad conduct discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits, as he was not insane at the time of committing offenses and his misconduct was willful and persistent.
The deciding factor: The appellant committed multiple drug offenses and absences from duty, which were found to be willful and persistent, resulting in a discharge under dishonorable conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- cocaine abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 28, 2011
- Citation
- 1107857
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1107857.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified neurosis is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for a comprehensive mental health examination and analysis.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the April 1995 decision denying service connection for cocaine abuse (previously claimed as drug dependency). The Board dismissed the appeal.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's motion for reversal or revision of their December 2021 decision denying reimbursement for unauthorized non-VA medical expenses due to lack of evidence supporting service-connected conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for chronic paranoid schizophrenia with cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol abuse is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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