The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current depressive symptoms began following his retirement and subsequent isolation. The symptomology attributed to both conditions overlapped significantly.
The deciding factor: The overlapping symptomatology of PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder made it impossible to distinguish between them without speculation.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder Other Than PTSD, Depressive Disorder NOS
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20056145
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 20056145.
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: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including Major Neurocognitive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, are granted as service-connected. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be secondary to his service-connected OSA.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and duty-to-assist errors.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and remanded the claims for a lower back condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, but denied a compensable disability rating for left ring finger ankylosis at proximal interphalangeal joint. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.
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