The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with secondary major depressive disorder. The decision also includes a finding that the Veteran's secondary diagnosis of major depressive disorder was caused by his primary diagnosis of other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board found the evidence supported the Veteran's reported stressors, including the death of a fellow trainee who committed suicide during basic training. The March 2020 opinion from A.W., Psy.D., was considered in favor of the claimant due to its corroboration by other evidence not limited to the Veteran's subjective reports.
- Claimed conditions
- Other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, Major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 20, 2026
- Citation
- 26002388
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 26002388.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the AOJ's handling of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, and depression. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtain medical opinions regarding the diagnoses and their relation to service.
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