The Board finds that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of a head injury. The VA medical records do not provide sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the veteran's current cervical spine disability and his military service.
The deciding factor: VA medical opinions are inconclusive regarding the etiology of the veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and cervical spine disability, with some suggesting a possible connection to service but others finding no such link. The most recent VA examination in July 2000 concluded that it was quite unlikely that the veteran's concussive injury in 1966 caused his current depression or cognitive deficits.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disability, Residuals of Cervical Spine Injury
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2005
- Citation
- 0506212
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0506212.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is rated at 100 percent, and he is granted SMC based on housebound status. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her military service and not a pre-existing condition. The decision also acknowledges that her service-connected disabilities may have contributed to her current mental health issues.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The AOJ will now consider these claims on their merits.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, rhinitis, and sinusitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to her military service.
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