The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder, did not have its onset during his active duty military service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his service.
The deciding factor: There was no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current psychiatric condition to his military service, with the exception of a lay statement from the Veteran himself. The VA examiner opined that it was less likely as not that the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder had its onset during service or was casually related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 14, 2017
- Citation
- 1732957
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1732957.
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 Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizoaffective disorder, as it did not pre-exist service and was not shown in service or until 2010. The medical evidence does not support presumptive service connection on any basis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's schizoaffective disorder, finding that it began during active service and affording the benefit of doubt to the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder) and remanded the secondary service connection claim for hypertensive vascular disease.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head trauma, including chronic headaches, is granted. However, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.
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