The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than substance induced mood disorder. The evidence indicates his alcohol use and abuse began prior to service, and he continued to struggle with it throughout the appeal period.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined it was more likely than not that the Veteran's current mental disorder is a continuation of his pre-service alcohol abuse, which made it impossible to determine if he met the diagnostic criteria for a mental health diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Substance induced mood disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2018
- Citation
- 1802916
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 1802916.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including whether they are related to service.
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The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and evaluation, including a review of in-service stressors and a psychiatric examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of each acquired psychiatric disorder demonstrated during the appeal period or in proximity to the claim. The Veteran's hepatitis C is denied as it is due to willful misconduct.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify the reported stressor and obtain a medical opinion regarding the relationship between any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and active military service.
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