The Board found that there is no evidence of verified in-service stressors for PTSD, and the veteran's depressive disorder did not have its onset during service or be related to his service-connected migraine headaches. Therefore, service connection was denied.
The deciding factor: There were no verifiable combat-related stressors for PTSD, and the veteran's major depressive disorder is not shown to be directly related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2004
- Citation
- 0402687
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 0402687.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, effective October 24, 2017. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to March 7, 2022, while other claims were denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, based on the Veteran's reported symptoms during and since service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to the need for a more comprehensive medical examination and opinion.
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