The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no confirmed DSM-V diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, such as Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Depressed and Anxious Mood, is also denied due to lack of a current diagnosis related to service.,Service connection for a substance use disorder is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's statements alone cannot establish the occurrence of an in-service stressor or PTSD diagnosis. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of PTSD, and there is no credible supporting evidence that corroborates the claimed in-service stressors.,While the Veteran was diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Depressed and Anxious Mood, the VA psychiatrist found it less likely than not related to service due to other factors contributing to his psychiatric disorders after separation from service.,Service connection for a substance use disorder is denied as there is no evidence of such disability during active duty or that it was incurred in line of duty.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Depressed and Anxious Mood, Substance Use Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23060824
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 23060824.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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