My claim was denied due to a "Personality Disorder" or "Congenital Condition"

What these denials mean:

These denials are confirming that there is a mental disorder, but they are asserting that it is not a compensable disability because it's a preexisting condition that was not aggravated beyond its natural course of progression by anything in the service.

Typically, a preexisting condition would have been diagnosed prior to enlistment and should have been recorded on the enlistment examination report.

However, there are a few mental disorders that may not have been diagnosed before service, but once diagnosed, they are automatically considered to have been preexisting. These include ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Personality Disorders. Each of these are considered to be congenital and developmental in nature, which means they would have only developed prior to military.

You can still get service-connection for a mental disorder, if:

Your non-compensable mental disorder was diagnosed in error. Or, you developed an additional mental disorder during/because of service that has gone undiagnosed thus far.

How?

1. Records Review - You would need to provide me with relevant pre-military, military, and post-military records. I would start with a Records Review, so I can assess the accuracy of your diagnosis, evidence suggesting an additional or alternative diagnosis, and a possible nexus to service.
2. Independent Medical Examination (IME) - Then, we would go through the IME process to determine if you have an additional or alternative diagnosis.
3. Nexus Letter - If you have a different mental disorder and evidence of a nexus to your service, I can write a nexus letter to support your claim.