The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection of a psychiatric disorder, as his symptoms do not align with the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and he has been diagnosed with psychosis disorder, cannabis dependence, and cocaine abuse. The stressor is considered sufficient to support an in-service occurrence but the Veteran's current symptoms are attributed to substance use rather than a service-connected condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's reported symptoms do not align with the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and his current psychiatric diagnoses (psychosis disorder, cannabis dependence, cocaine abuse) are more consistent with his history of substance use during and after military service.
- Claimed conditions
- psychosis disorder not otherwise specified, cannabis dependence, cocaine abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2013
- Citation
- 1340617
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1340617.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the veteran's claim for service connection of psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression. The Board found that previous VA examinations were inadequate and ordered a new examination.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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