The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include major depression with psychotic features, and opiate and stimulant use disorder as secondary to the major depression with psychotic features.
The deciding factor: The private clinician's opinion provided a well-reasoned rationale that the Veteran's psychiatric condition reflects a diagnosis of major depression with psychotic features, rather than schizophrenia, and that his use and abuse of substances were both symptoms of and caused by his major depression.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depression with psychotic features, Opiate and stimulant use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23001860
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depression with psychotic features and generalized anxiety disorder did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating prior to August 14, 2008.
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for major depression with psychotic features, finding that September 27, 2000, was the earliest possible effective date.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.