The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The claim for extension of a temporary total disability rating due to surgery after April 30, 2011 was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and there is no link between the Veteran's current major depressive disorder and his service-connected right thumb disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), Right thumb disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 1, 2015
- Citation
- 1537318
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 1537318.
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 is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, effective July 14, 2020. He is also granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate for the same period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and chronic sinusitis, finding both conditions to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of an earlier effective date, initial rating, and TDIU for further development.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability in accordance with VA standards.
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