The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder did not have its onset during service and is not related to his military service. The right shoulder disability was rated at 30 percent, but no higher rating was granted due to lack of evidence showing more than limitation of motion. For the lumbar spine disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent from July 18, 2005, to March 4, 2009, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's statements regarding his psychiatric symptoms during service were not credible, as they contradicted his service treatment records. The VA examiner's opinion was based on a history that the Board found to be unreliable due to its inconsistency with the Veteran's service records and lack of evidence of counseling in service.
- Claimed conditions
- anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 30, 2010
- Citation
- 1028662
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 1028662.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder, secondary to tinnitus and dismissed the appeal regarding an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The claim for adjustment disorder was remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
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