The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder, opioid use disorder, and alcohol use disorder, previously claimed as PTSD. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disability is related to in-service stressors.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion concluded that the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is less likely than not related to his service, as it was related to aspects of his life outside of military service. The examiner also opined that the Veteran's opioid and alcohol use disorders are unrelated to his anxiety disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified anxiety disorder, opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19168597
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 19168597.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder alone warrants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), and he has additional service-connected disabilities rated at least 60 percent. The Board grants special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, along with alcohol use disorder, has been granted a 100% evaluation effective from April 8, 2021. The disability causes total occupational and social impairment.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders were rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective May 6, 2015.,Effective May 6, 2015, the Veteran was granted an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.
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