The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD and to include anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and alcohol dependence is denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or any other mental health condition related to military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find a diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with DSM criteria, and there was no credible supporting evidence for the Veteran's claimed stressors. The Board also found that the Veteran's alcohol dependence began before his military service and is not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Psychiatric Disorder"}, {"condition_name":"Anxiety Disorder"}, {"condition_name":"Depressive Disorder"}, {"condition_name":"Alcohol Dependence"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19177610
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
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