Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for other specified depressive disorder was dismissed because the VA Form 10182, which should have been filed within one year of receiving notification of the October 30, 2021 rating decision, was not received in time and no good cause was shown to extend the filing deadline.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU related to his unspecified depressive disorder is being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records prior to the June 2021 decision on appeal.

The Veteran's low back disability was restored to a 20 percent rating effective February 24, 2022. The other issues were denied.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is rated at a 50% level, but the Board has granted an increased rating to a 70% level due to significant social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's depressive disorder associated with tinnitus is rated at 70 percent from August 15, 2016, to present. The effective date for this rating is set as of August 26, 2016.

The Veteran's depression is due to her service-connected left shoulder bursitis/tendinitis, chronic left hip inflammation, and degenerative disc disease. The appeal for service connection for depression as secondary to these conditions has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 9, 2012, and in excess of 70 percent from March 9, 2012, to January 14, 2021, for PTSD with MDD; a TBI; a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 9, 2012; and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance prior to November 27, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and left testicle epididymitis, finding no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety have been rendered moot due to the grant of service connection in a January 2024 rating decision.,Service connection has not been established for lumbar spine condition, sleep apnea, or right 5th metacarpal fracture. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability evaluation for acute intermittent tension headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically his unspecified depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. The VA examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The left lower extremity scars are not compensable.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability and secondary service connection for her depressive disorder, finding that new evidence supports these determinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for hypertension, as it is insufficiently addressed by the June 2020 VA opinion and requires further medical evaluation.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a July 2017 rating decision. The AOJ failed to address the CUE contentions in the first instance, necessitating remand.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% evaluation for major depressive disorder was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to his May 3, 2023, claim.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent, effective October 21, 2014.,The Veteran's headaches are not entitled to a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus and acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure and combat experience.

The Board has found that there was a duty to assist error and remands the claims for further development due to missing treatment records.