The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (MDD and/or PTSD) is denied as the symptoms are already considered in his existing service-connected chronic adjustment disorder. The claims for increased ratings for right shoulder and right knee disabilities are also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current diagnoses update to MDD with other specified trauma or stressor related disorder, which are reflective of his previously diagnosed chronic adjustment disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- MDD, other specified trauma or stressor related disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2021
- Citation
- 21013499
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 21013499.
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 Board has granted an effective date of March 1, 2023 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for other specified trauma or stressor related disorder, PTSD, dermatitis, and cyst removal scar are all granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of other specified trauma or stressor related disorder that is related to in-service stressors. Service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis meeting DSM-5 criteria. Service connection for dermatitis and cyst removal scar is denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 31, 2021.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's other specified trauma or stressor related disorder is granted as service connected because it is etiologically related to stressors from their service.
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