The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for service connection for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as it was found that the condition pre-existed his enlistment and did not increase in severity beyond natural progression during his service.
The deciding factor: The evidence clearly and unmistakably established that the Veteran's OCD both pre-existed his enlistment in service and did not increase in severity beyond natural progression during his service, thus rebutting the presumption of soundness on entry into service.
- Claimed conditions
- obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2024
- Citation
- 24033239
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The other claims were remanded for further development.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) based on evidence of in-service treatment and current disability.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 31, 2018, for the award of service connection for OCD because the Veteran continuously pursued his claim.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as the Board granted service connection in January 2025, making the issue moot.
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