The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and for headaches and coronary artery disease (CAD) that are secondary to the psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current depressive disorder to his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2021
- Citation
- 21030061
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 21030061.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder NOS from January 21, 2014 as it was a purely ministerial implementation of the previous Board decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and conflicting medical evidence.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder NOS are currently rated as 50 percent disabling, but the Board has remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA clinician to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.
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