Granted
The Board has granted service connection for depression and secondary service connection for a substance abuse disability, both of which are claimed as related to service. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony and medical records indicating that his depression developed in service and led him to use substances as a coping mechanism.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established due to the Veteran's testimony and medical evidence linking his current psychiatric disability (depression) and substance abuse disability to events during service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Depression","diagnosis_date":null,"service_connection_theory":"direct"}, {"condition_name":"Substance Abuse Disability (alleged as secondary to depression)","diagnosis_date":"2008","service_connection_theory":"secondary"}
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19187769
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
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.