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Denied

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The Board finds the Veteran's current diagnosis of unspecified depression with anxious distress less likely related to his military service.,The Veteran's back disability is denied as there is no evidence of chronic in-service back injury, no showing of a compensable degree within one year after separation from service, and no established continuity of symptoms. The Board finds the Veteran's current diagnosis of unspecified depression with anxious distress less likely related to his military service.,The Veteran's respiratory disability (COPD) is not service-connected as there is no evidence of chronic in-service disease or injury, nor any showing of a compensable degree within one year after separation from service. The Board finds the Veteran's current diagnosis of unspecified depression with anxious distress less likely related to his military service.,The Veteran's headaches with vomiting are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The Board finds the Veteran's current diagnosis of unspecified depression with anxious distress less likely related to his military service.

The deciding factor: There is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's diagnosed conditions and his military service.

Claimed conditions
Acquired psychiatric disorder, Back disability, Respiratory disability, Headaches with vomiting
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
May 27, 2021
Citation
21032732

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 21032732.

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