The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and substance abuse, is granted due to being secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The left shoulder disability and the rating for the left ankle disability are denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was at least as likely as not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected conditions, while the evidence did not support a finding that the left shoulder disability or the left ankle disability were related to active service or secondary to any service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression and substance abuse
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 6, 2025
- Citation
- 25012526
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