The Veteran seeks service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The VA examiner found that the diagnosed anti-social personality disorder is not an acquired psychiatric disorder but rather a constitutional or developmental abnormality, and did not address whether there was additional disability due to aggravation of this condition by a superimposed disease or injury.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not adequately address the previous diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar affective disorder in relation to anti-social personality disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Acute psychotic reaction, Mixed type personality disorder and psychosis associated with drug ingestion, Adjustment reaction, Character and behavior/personality disorders, Antisocial personality disorder, Schizoaffective disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar affective disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1729013
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 1729013.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizophrenia, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The appeal for a TDIU has been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia was reopened and granted effective June 14, 1989. SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is also granted as of that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and schizoaffective disorder, due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The case will be readjudicated with a focus on obtaining treatment records from UT Health San Antonio Transitional Care Clinic and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that new evidence supports the readjudication of the claim for service connection for a mental disorder, but dismissed appeals seeking compensable ratings for residuals of right hand 5th metacarpal fracture and left ear hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine if an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to service.
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