The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and either service or the service-connected hysterectomy.
The deciding factor: The most probative evidence showed no mental health complaints or treatment until decades after service, and the Veteran's current diagnosis of major depressive disorder was first noted in 2015, more than 28 years after discharge. The Board found that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between the hysterectomy and the current psychiatric condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 10, 2021
- Citation
- 21073693
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 21073693.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, is denied. The Board finds no evidence of a diagnosed mental health disability during active or inactive service and thus cannot establish service connection. Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the inadequacy of the March 2021 VA examination opinion.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee condition, and a left hip condition. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) due to the April 2021 rating decision not adjudicating these claims, and subsequent grant by a June 2021 rating decision. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of a mental disorder.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression secondary to service-connected tinnitus is being remanded due to the AOJ relying almost solely on the VA examination, which was criticized for not considering the veracity of the notations in the Veteran's Santa Rosa Counseling records. A new VA examination and opinion are required.
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