Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA mental disorders examination to assess any acquired psychiatric disability and its relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder and cocaine use disorder was granted, effective July 21, 2009. The decision is based on the correction of a CUE in an earlier administrative decision that incorrectly characterized his second period of active duty as dishonorable.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from December 17, 2013. The effective date for this rating remains unchanged as the claim was denied prior to that date.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for acquired psychiatric disability, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition increased in severity within one year prior to November 14, 2019.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for acquired psychiatric disability, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition increased in severity within one year prior to his intent to file a claim.

The Veteran's TBI with unspecified anxiety disorder and depression is currently rated at 70 percent, effective October 18, 2012. The Board has determined that the current rating of 70 percent is the highest evaluation available for this condition.

The Veteran's sarcoidosis is caused by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,Service connection cannot be established for kidney disease as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year following service. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that it was related to service.

For the period on review, the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied a compensable rating.,For the period on review, the Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were granted a 50% disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of depressive disorder due to a duty-to-assist error and an inadequate medical opinion. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her right upper extremity scar was denied, while she was granted a total rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia with memory loss, anxiety, and depression, was granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The VA examiner linked the onset to his in-service experiences.,The Veteran's claim for TBI/Residuals of TBI was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or residuals associated with such.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected mental health conditions, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's somatic symptom and unspecified depressive disorder is granted with a 50% initial rating.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current Major Depressive Disorder is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for depression associated with tinnitus was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment.,Service connection for hypertension, a disease deemed presumptively service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, was granted under the PACT Act.

The Board has determined that the appellant's depressive disorder symptoms more closely approximate a 50 percent disability rating, which is the current assigned rating. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) records and for an addendum opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD, MDD, and alcohol use disorder are found to be at least as likely as not due to in-service stressors. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to new and relevant evidence received, including a VA examination and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being readjudicated as part of his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder. However, there are uncertainties regarding the dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, which need to be verified.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate claims are both granted due to his service-connected disabilities.