The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS is as likely as not caused by his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees. The Board grants the claim for service connection on a secondary basis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's currently diagnosed depressive disorder, NOS is at least partly due to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2015
- Citation
- 1528170
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 1528170.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation of service-connected PTSD, alcohol dependence, and depressive disorder.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for service-connected acquired psychiatric disabilities as it was not properly before the Board due to the finality of the September 2019 decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder NOS, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation due to outdated evidence and potential interplay with other service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), due to a lack of complete medical records and the need for a new VA examination.
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.