The Veteran's claim for service connection for polysubstance abuse is denied as there is no current evidence of a disability and the Board finds that his current polysubstance abuse is not related to his service-connected PTSD.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no indication of a current polysubstance abuse disability in recent years, and opined that any such disability was caused by his primary service-connected disability (PTSD).
- Claimed conditions
- polysubstance abuse
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2012
- Citation
- 1211639
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 1211639.
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).
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The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, as there is potential association between his symptoms and military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD service connection is remanded. The VA must obtain the Veteran's complete Vet Center treatment records.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right scrotal mass, kidney stones, polysubstance abuse, liver disability, and adrenal gland disability due to insufficient medical opinions.
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