The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression, was denied. The appeal for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service or service-connected migraines, nor does it show that he needs regular aid and assistance due to a disability. The claim for an earlier effective date is therefore denied as there is no new and material evidence to reopen the service connection claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (depression)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2015
- Citation
- 1548642
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 1548642.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate verification of in-service exposure and the need for additional VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for avascular necrosis of the bilateral shoulders and hips, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and neurological impairments of various extremities as they were not causally related to the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and a right knee condition. The claims for left knee condition, back injury, hypertension, headaches, sleep apnea, and surgical complications of pregnancy were remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a vision disorder, chronic headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), finding no current disability or evidence of a nexus to service. The claim for rhinitis was remanded.
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