The Board found that the Appellant's character of discharge from service is dishonorable and constitutes a bar to VA benefits, as there was no evidence showing he was insane at the time of his misconduct.
The deciding factor: The medical opinion concluded that the Appellant was sane throughout service due to his personality disorder and current bipolar disorder, which began after service. The Board found this opinion more probative than the Appellant's own inaccurate history provided to a private psychiatrist.
- Claimed conditions
- Personality Disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 3, 2016
- Citation
- 1608677
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 1608677.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and increased rating for other specified trauma-related disorder was denied. The Board found that the May 1974 denial of service connection for a personality disorder did not address a reasonable raised claim for depression, which is related to the same period.
- Whole decision: Granted
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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the hearing being cancelled and a need for additional clarification of his mental health condition. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions, including PTSD.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding whether any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service or superimposed upon his personality disorder.
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