The Board found that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and a psychotic disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence clearly and unmistakably showed that her psychotic disorder existed prior to service and was due to its natural progression.
The deciding factor: The preexisting psychotic disorder increased in severity during active service but the increase was due to the natural progression of the condition, not service aggravation.
- Claimed conditions
- Personality Disorder, Nicotine Dependence, Polysubstance Abuse, Alcohol Abuse
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2012
- Citation
- 1239164
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 1239164.
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.
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- Whole decision: Granted
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The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the claims for personality disorder and panic/anxiety disorder have been remanded due to new evidence.
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