The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, polysubstance abuse, and substance-induced mood disorder, is rated at a 70 percent disability level effective May 13, 2013.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms of anxiety and substance-related disorders overlapped, making it difficult to determine if they were primary due to medical or pain conditions or substance-induced. The diagnosis was based on these overlapping symptoms rather than a specific service connection theory.
- Claimed conditions
- anxiety disorder NOS, depressive disorder NOS, polysubstance abuse, substance-induced mood disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- July 25, 2017
- Citation
- 1729085
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 1729085.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the case for further action on service connection and TDIU issues.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder NOS, depression, and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are related to his active military service.
- Granted
The December 2012 rating decision was reversed to grant service connection for an anxiety disorder, which had previously been denied due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The new evidence provided by the VA psychologist in January 2012 established a link between the Veteran's military service and his current diagnosis of anxiety disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, as there is potential association between his symptoms and military service.
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