The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as a major depressive disorder) pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated by active service.
The deciding factor: Clear and unmistakable evidence shows that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder pre-existed his military service, and there is no clear evidence of aggravation during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (Major Depressive Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 24, 2013
- Citation
- 1320295
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1320295.
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: Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was denied, but he was granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder on the basis that it is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to May 6, 2022 and 50 percent beginning on that date. The Veteran is granted service connection for major depressive disorder and secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus type II remains pending as the claims are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has withdrawn the claim for increased rating for erectile dysfunction and remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) and coronary artery disease with angina. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and major depressive disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.
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