The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, finding that the current psychiatric disorder is not related to service and was first manifested many years after separation.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the current psychiatric disorder is more likely due to post-service unemployment and work-related stress rather than any in-service symptoms or events.
- Claimed conditions
- MDD (Major Depressive Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 27, 2023
- Citation
- 23053949
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 23053949.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and melancholic features is rated at 50 percent from January 20, 2011, and at 70 percent from November 19, 2021. Effective dates for TDIU, DEA based on permanent and total disability status, and SMC at the 's' rate are set to November 19, 2021.,The Veteran's PTSD is rated at its maximum schedular rating of 70 percent from February 10, 2022. Effective dates for TDIU and DEA based on permanent and total disability status are set to November 19, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected TBI. From July 18, 2016, the Veteran is granted an initial rating of 70% for his TBI with PTSD and MDD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder, MDD, and Memory Disorder. The remand requires obtaining additional VA and private medical records and providing a comprehensive medical opinion addressing causation and aggravation by service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the December 2013 rating decision, which granted service connection for GAD with MDD and assigned a 50 percent initial rating, was not final due to new and material evidence received within one year of the decision. The matter is being remanded to address whether an effective date prior to February 5, 2017, for the award of TDIU is warranted.
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