The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, affective disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia, is not related to service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of a diagnosed impairment of schizophrenia during the Veteran's period of active duty, and there is nothing to suggest that he experienced an episode of psychosis prior to or within one year following separation from active service. The Board also found the Veteran not competent to diagnose himself with schizophrenia or any other acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive disorder, Affective disorder, Mood disorder, Anxiety disorder, Schizophrenia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20062781
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 20062781.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Denied
The Veteran is found not competent to handle the disbursement of VA funds, and his appeal is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically schizophrenia, is rated at 70 percent disabling. The appeal for a TDIU has been granted.
- 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.
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