Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, is secondary to his service-connected impairment of rectal sphincter control. The Veteran needs a new medical opinion addressing this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is now rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance for the period of time on appeal.

The Board has determined that the October 1982 rating decision denying service connection for depression based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is granted, with an effective date of February 6, 1982.

The Board has restored service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) due to new and material evidence, finding that the original grant of MDD was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's prostate cancer, thyroid condition, hypertension, right hip arthritis, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, and insomnia disabilities are denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's lumbago with arthritis disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is granted as it is at least as likely as not related to her service-connected disabilities. Service connection is also granted for lumbosacral strain with a rating of 40 percent effective May 29, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 6, 2023, for a 100 percent rating for the service-connected psychiatric disorder and special monthly compensation benefits was denied as there was no communication expressing intent to file such claims prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right lower extremity above-the-knee amputation and depression as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right leg effective February 7, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for service-connected depressive disorder has been granted. The Board also remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence, including missing medical records and a lack of VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed again.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 26, 2019 for the award of a 100 percent evaluation for major depressive disorder with dysthymic disorder. This decision is based on evidence showing that there was a factually ascertainable increase in severity within one year prior to the receipt of the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder is granted, with an effective date set at December 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection for OSA. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new VA opinions addressing whether his current OSA would exist without his service-connected conditions and if it would be less severe.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and insomnia, is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board will attempt to verify the Veteran's claimed stressors and schedule him for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for knee disorder, manifested by weakness and left shoulder disorder, manifested by loss of motion. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for eye disease injury with floaters was denied because the VA treatment did not cause his condition.,The earlier effective date claim for generalized anxiety with depression NOS was dismissed as the Veteran did not identify a specific rating decision to appeal.

The rating reduction from 30% to 10% for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress was proper, and the Veteran is now rated at 10%. The effective date of this change is November 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for service-connected depression is granted, effective July 2, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 5, 2021. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.