The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or a service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found no medical evidence establishing a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders (other than PTSD) and his military service. For hypertension, there was also insufficient evidence showing it was related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified personality disorder, alcohol dependence, substance induced depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 9, 2018
- Citation
- 18124815
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 18124815.
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 decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability with alcohol dependence.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for an unspecified personality disorder.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent or higher for his psychiatric disability, including moderate alcohol use disorder, has been withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the Board's decision.
- Denied
Prior to June 24, 2024, the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and unspecified personality disorder symptoms have more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. His symptoms have not approximated total occupational and social impairment.,From June 24, 2024, the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and unspecified personality disorder symptoms have more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. His symptoms have not approximated total occupational and social impairment.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.