The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's condition began during active service or was otherwise related to an in-service injury.
The deciding factor: The August 2024 VA examiner opined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder are less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service event, as there is no evidence of a nexus between the mental health conditions and military service/stressors, and the first documentation of mental health complaints was not until 1981, well beyond his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25100971
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 907 · Granted: 35% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25100971.
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: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder. The other claims were remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board granted restoration of the 50 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, as the reduction in rating was improper.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating, concluding that his symptoms did not warrant a 70 percent or higher rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, for further development including VA examinations.
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