The Board has determined that the Veteran's opioid dependence is not caused or aggravated by any of his service-connected disabilities, including pancreatitis with GERD.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no scientific evidence supporting the contention that a physical illness, including pancreatitis with GERD and/or a right knee disability pathophysiologically causes or chronically worsens an opioid use disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- opioid dependence, opioid-induced mood disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 7, 2018
- Citation
- 1828252
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 1828252.
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: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for schizoaffective disorder with opioid dependence due to a withdrawal by the appellant and his representative.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter to obtain an adequate independent medical opinion regarding the Veteran's 38 U.S.C. § 1151 claim.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for an independent medical opinion to determine if additional disability, claimed as opioid withdrawal symptoms, opioid dependence, and opioid addiction, was proximately caused by VA treatment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology and aggravation of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder with opioid dependence. The VA must provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.
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