The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is causally or etiologically related to his period of honorable military service. The symptoms are more likely attributable to his dishonorable service following his conviction for indecent acts and liberties with a minor.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's mental health problems began after he was accused and convicted of harming a minor in 1999, which is outside the scope of his honorable military service. His symptoms are attributed to this period rather than any events during his honorable service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1647691
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 1647691.
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.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.
- Granted
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
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