The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of whether his character of service is a bar to VA benefits due to new and material evidence. However, the Board found that his misconduct in service was persistent and willful, and thus determined that his character of discharge remains a bar to VA benefits.
The deciding factor: The appellant's infractions were numerous and occurred over an extended period, constituting persistent misconduct which prevented proper performance of military duties.
- Claimed conditions
- Substance Abuse, Insubordination, Failure to obey instructions, Violation of restrictions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 17, 2015
- Citation
- 1516689
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 1516689.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder with major depressive disorder from October 27, 2021 is dismissed. The issue of service connection for substance abuse and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to October 27, 2021 are remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD, including substance abuse and depression, was denied as the effective date of June 6, 2023, is considered the earliest possible effective date given his intent to file on that day.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks a temporary total rating for hospitalization due to PTSD and substance abuse. The RO denied the claim as the treatment period was less than 21 days, but the Board finds this decision non-responsive and remands for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder, finding that new evidence did not establish a nexus between his current psychiatric conditions and military service.
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