The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, as the evidence did not show a nexus to service. The Veteran's in-service symptoms were linked to alcohol abuse and withdrawal.
The deciding factor: Service treatment records showed treatment for psychiatric issues during service but these were found to be related to alcohol abuse and withdrawal, which is considered willful misconduct.
- Claimed conditions
- Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressed Type, Schizophrenia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20033732
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 20033732.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
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: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizophrenia, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The appeal for a TDIU has been granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizophrenia was reopened and granted effective June 14, 1989. SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is also granted as of that date.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claims for service connection for PTSD (claimed as schizophrenia), headaches, and schizophrenia. The claim for memory loss and residuals of head injury remains denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to her active service and grants service connection for this condition.
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