Depression decisions — 2024

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for the left eye condition is denied.,Service connection for depression and/or a mental condition (schizophrenia) is granted with a 100% rating effective October 23, 2018. The claim for service connection for depression and/or a mental condition is dismissed as there remains no case or controversy as to this issue.,Service connection for the right knee condition is denied.,Service connection for hypothyroidism is granted.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and adjustment reaction with anxious mood, effective February 28, 2001. The decision also addressed an earlier effective date claim.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it found that service connection for depression and anxiety with alcohol and substance abuse disorder had been in effect for over 10 years, thus protected from being severed. The original grant of service connection was not based on fraud.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with mood disorder and atrial fibrillation was denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on the service-connected psychiatric disability alone, effective January 10, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for atrial fibrillation was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service stressors and his acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD are remanded as the VA examination opinions were inadequate. Other claims for service connection are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and a duty to assist error. The issues include obesity, increased appetite, heat intolerance, arthritis, abdominal condition, nervous condition (including tremors and nervousness), hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety and insomnia), diabetes mellitus, heart condition (including tachycardia), and gynecological condition (including menstrual irregularities).

The Veteran's cause of death, multiple prescription drug overdose, is being remanded for further development due to the need for a retrospective opinion on whether it was proximately due or caused by his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The finger injury claim was denied. Other service connection claims were also denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 4, 2020 for the award of service connection for PTSD with MDD, anxious distress, and cannabis use disorder. The Veteran's claim was continuously pursued since he submitted his initial claim in December 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted effective May 12, 2014. A higher evaluation of 70% was granted prior to June 11, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to August 29, 2016, for the award of service connection for chronic acquired psychiatric disability was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of any unadjudicated formal or informal claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder prior to August 29, 2016.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the regular need for aid and attendance was granted. The Board found that the Veteran required assistance in bathing, tending to hygiene needs, preparing meals, and taking medications due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran is denied an effective date prior to January 27, 2020 for the award of service connection for PTSD and related psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome, with major depressive-like episode, finding that it is related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA medical opinion provided in November 2018. The case will be returned for an appropriate VA examination and further analysis.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been presented to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The case is now remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and cannabis use disorder was granted with an effective date of October 6, 2020.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various conditions, including major depressive disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, cervicogenic headaches, left hip degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, left shoulder DJD, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with traumatic brain injury, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder from March 13, 2021, and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria are dismissed. The appeal for an effective date earlier than September 14, 2015, for the award of Dependents' Educational Assistance is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and rating issues, including anxiety with PTSD and depression, cervical spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and a proposed reduction in the evaluation of low back pain.