Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and tendinopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee.

The Veteran's depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity from November 28, 2018 to August 15, 2019. A higher initial 70 percent rating was granted for this period.

The appeal to reduce the PTSD disability rating from 70% to 50%, and to discontinue SMC, is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his service-connected psychiatric disorders is dismissed because it is duplicative of another pending appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claim for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The AOJ failed to obtain a VA examination that considered whether his current disability is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD and depression have been granted. The claim for atrial fibrillation with pacemaker is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's claim was not based on new evidence associated with his service personnel records after a final denial in 1986.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, status post left and right Achilles tendon surgery, and left knee chondromalacia disabilities. The opinion provided by a private healthcare provider established that the Veteran's weight gain from his service-connected conditions was a substantial factor in causing his OSA.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically depressive disorder with insomnia, is rated at 50 percent and the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep impairment disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and various musculoskeletal conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, as there was no credible evidence of in-service stressors and his current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and the need for a VA examination to determine if any current psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, are related to military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was denied, and the effective date for service connection was also denied. The appeal is based on both issues.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder with Anxiety, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected depression and knee disabilities caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, service connection for OSA as secondary to these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for his Major Depressive Disorder, finding that his symptoms more closely approximate a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and MDD, was caused by service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed depression. The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression, which falls under the 'new and material' theory.