The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. The decision also addresses PTSD but does not establish a separate service connection for it.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's diagnoses of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were supported by VA treatment records and implicit nexus opinions based on his service history, while disregarding later conflicting opinions from VA psychologists who did not find current mental disorders. The decision granted service connection due to the equipoise in evidence favoring the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20029161
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 20029161.
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 claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
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