The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include schizoaffective disorder, depression, and PTSD. However, it was denied on the merits as there is no evidence linking any current acquired psychiatric disability to active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder) is related to active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disability, Schizoaffective Disorder, Depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- April 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19124421
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma, back disability (secondary to multiple myeloma), and depression, with an effective date of January 26, 2021. The decision also remanded claims related to breast cancer, DEA benefits, and initial ratings.
- Denied
The veteran's bad conduct discharge precludes eligibility for VA benefits, including compensation and healthcare.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and personality disorder, due to the need for further development of the record.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Appellant during its pendency.
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