The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and HIV, finding that his conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a direct link between the Veteran’s current psychiatric disabilities and military service, nor could it be determined if his HIV was caused by or aggravated by a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified mood disorder, polysubstance dependence (in remission), personality disorder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2021
- Citation
- 21024865
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 21024865.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error in failing to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ must request that the Veteran be scheduled for an examination to determine the probable nature and etiology of his diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including personality disorder and PTSD, is granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence sufficient to grant service connection due to a qualifying event in service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and depression, finding that his symptoms are adequately accounted for by his existing diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as new and relevant evidence has not been submitted to warrant readjudication.
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