The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and alcohol use disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between the current diagnoses of depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder and active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Psychiatric Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19190750
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 19190750.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol and cocaine use disorder was granted an increased initial rating of 100 percent, the schedular maximum. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 24, 2023 for the now-assigned 100 percent rating for PTSD was denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and multiple musculoskeletal conditions but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD from September 19, 2016, to May 30, 2019, and from August 1, 2019.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with anxious mood and alcohol use disorder, and left testicle pain. The claims for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a sinus disability were denied, while the claim for a chronic vomiting disorder was also denied.
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.