The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms are attributable to non-service-connected personality disorder and substance abuse disorder, which prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic adjustment disorder, personality disorder, substance abuse disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 10, 2018
- Citation
- 1821628
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 1821628.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection of substance abuse disorder is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his condition was caused by or related to active service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance from another person, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as it is a lesser benefit than SMC based on aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the claims for service connection due to lack of new and relevant evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected chronic adjustment disorder, residuals of foot injury with inability to flex toes, right knee injury with laxity, and residuals right hand injury including flexion deformities fourth and fifth digits. The Board found that these service-connected conditions caused or aggravated the Veteran's obesity, which in turn caused his sleep apnea.
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