The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric conditions were not aggravated by service and that there is clear and unmistakable evidence of their existence prior to enlistment.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence that the Veteran's psychiatric conditions were aggravated by service and opined that his alcohol use and disciplinary problems during service were markers of his pre-existing PTSD. The Board determined this opinion was flawed as it did not account for all diagnoses and symptoms, including adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression.
- Claimed conditions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22064616
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 22064616.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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