The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and dementia not otherwise specified, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The examiner concluded that the veteran's PTSD is not related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners determined that the veteran's diagnosed conditions are not linked to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic features, dementia not otherwise specified
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 28, 2004
- Citation
- 0417193
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,642 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0417193.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by a disability incurred or aggravated in service, and he did not meet the eligibility requirements for a VA pension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the claim to include dementia and depressive disorder, as well as PTSD. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for PTSD but diagnosed him with dementia not otherwise specified. However, no opinion was provided regarding whether this condition is related to service. Therefore, remand is required to obtain private treatment records from Dr. B. Khan and C.F., and to provide a VA medical opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his military service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The claim is well-grounded as there is current evidence of a diagnosed condition.
- Denied
The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound due to disability was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.