The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and PTSD. The Board found that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim due to evidence showing the disability was caused by events in service, specifically witnessing a fellow serviceman killed during a bar fight after being struck with a glass bottle.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizoaffective disorder and PTSD, is as likely as not the result of his military service based on evidence showing he witnessed a fellow serviceman killed during a bar fight in service.
- Claimed conditions
- schizoaffective disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19175183
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 19175183.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer but remanded the claim for PTSD due to insufficient verification of stressor incidents.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found the eligibility determination for PCAFC enrollment to be legally inadequate and remanded for a new medical opinion that adequately addresses the criteria for eligibility as set forth in VA regulations.
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