The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to service and the Board finds that she has a current diagnosis of this condition. The other psychiatric disorders are not currently addressed as they were not specifically mentioned in her claims or during the hearing.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported experiencing depression and discrimination during basic training, which led to ongoing mental health issues post-service. Her VA treatment records support these reports with diagnoses of major depressive disorder and other related conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Acquired psychiatric disorders other than major depressive disorder (PTSD, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder), Left shoulder disorder, Spine disorder (claimed as low back pain), Right knee disorder, Bilateral ankle disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1759827
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 1759827.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.
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