The Board denied the severance of service connection for unspecified schizophrenia disorder and the discontinuance of basic eligibility to Dependent’s Educational Assistance, finding that there was clear and unmistakable evidence showing the Veteran's character of discharge as dishonorable.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's character of discharge from military service was dishonorable due to unauthorized absence without official leave (AWOL) for a continuous period of at least 180 days, which is a bar to VA benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified schizophrenia disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20039123
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 20039123.
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 Board has granted an effective date of December 7, 2017 for a 50 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder with unspecified schizophrenia disorder.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
Your service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorder, has been granted. You are now receiving a full benefit of 100% disability rating for major depressive disorder.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically unspecified schizophrenia disorder, had its initial onset during service and is therefore granted service connection.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal as there is no longer a valid claim for an earlier effective date due to the severance of service connection for schizophrenia.
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