The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosis of PTSD and his current acquired psychiatric disorder is cocaine and cannabis abuse, which are conditions for which a finding of service incurrence is precluded by law. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence of a diagnosed PTSD and determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorders were due to substance abuse (cocaine and cannabis) rather than service.
- Claimed conditions
- cocaine abuse, cannabis abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2015
- Citation
- 1521759
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 1521759.
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 PTSD with a mood disorder and cannabis abuse is rated for the period from February 16, 2010, to March 17, 2021. The Board has ordered further examination due to incomplete documentation of the Veteran's symptoms.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.