The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period and noting that the Veteran's STRs did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to such condition. The claim was also denied for chronic headache disability as secondary to service-connected depression.,Service connection was granted for chronic headaches due to service-connected depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish a current acquired psychiatric disorder during the appeal period and there is no medical opinion linking such condition to service. The Veteran's STRs did not show any complaints or diagnoses related to an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran was diagnosed with depression, which led to headaches. However, the VA examiner found that the headache symptoms were more likely due to psychological stress rather than a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, Chronic Headache Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20029426
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20029426.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected TBI with PTSD is granted, effective September 6, 2018.
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