The Board has granted service connection for persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his military service. Service connection was also granted for degenerative arthritis of the spine and right knee arthritis secondary to a now service-connected low back disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found the Veteran’s current back disability diagnosis was not caused by service but rather age-related, however, private medical providers opined that the Veteran's current condition was related to military service due to trauma sustained years prior.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)","diagnosis_date":null,"diagnosis_source":"June 2018 VA examination"}, {"condition_name":"Generalized Anxiety Disorder","diagnosis_date":null,"diagnosis_source":"June 2018 VA examination"}
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20080364
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
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.