The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, finding that it did not preexist his active military service and was not incurred during service.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish a clear and unmistakable preexistence of the condition prior to service or show direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis, treatment, or link between current disorder and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2020
- Citation
- 20038355
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 20038355.
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: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding an evaluation for pseudo folliculitis barbae and an earlier effective date. The Board also granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, jammed left shoulder, chronic right elbow disability, chronic left elbow disability, chronic right knee disability, chronic left knee disability, and unspecified joint disease. These claims are now remanded to allow for further development.,The Board also dismissed the claim of entitlement to service connection for diverticulitis.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression), diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further review.
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