The Veteran's service-connected syncope and mental disability did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his unemployability was attributed to substance abuse issues rather than the service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran had a history of drug use and relapses that impacted his ability to secure and maintain employment, despite having service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, Syncope
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20068285
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,272 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20068285.
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 service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, is granted effective August 21, 2019. A rating of 70 percent for the acquired psychiatric disorder is granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his psychiatric disability is granted, and he is now rated at 70 percent. He also received a TDIU based solely on his service-connected psychiatric disability, and SMC at the housebound rate is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a potential error in decision-making. The AOJ is required to provide complete notice of the decision, address all relevant evidence including billing information, and re-adjudicate the claim under section 1725.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring VA to obtain medical examinations and opinions regarding his psychiatric disorders, prostate condition, and erectile dysfunction.
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