Depression decisions — 2024

Your claim for an earlier effective date of May 7, 2018, for a 50 percent evaluation for your acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as the matter has already been resolved with you receiving the maximum possible benefit.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and remands the case for further examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for his claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric disorders are now recharacterized as an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective July 17, 2023. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and rating increases are granted but no earlier than the dates specified.

Service connection is granted for PTSD. The claims of service connection for social adjustment disorder with anger issues, depression, insomnia, and anxiety are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sleep apnea disorder as secondary to his service-connected insomnia disorder, MDD with anxiety, migraine headaches, and tinnitus. The decision also acknowledges that the Veteran's opioid medication taken for bilateral shoulder disorders may have contributed to his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression, is found to have its onset in service. High blood pressure is not related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the VA examination and incomplete service records. The examiner's opinion was limited, and there is a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for persistent depressive disorder is denied because there was no formal or informal claim received within one year of separation from service, and no evidence indicates he intended to file a claim prior to February 16, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee conditions and major depressive disorder, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities such that locomotion is precluded without the aid of a cane or braces. As a result, the Veteran qualifies for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder and depression are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on pre-decisional errors and requires additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for cervical condition is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for PTSD under the modernized review system is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus is dismissed.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected psychiatric and right shoulder disabilities, which prevent him from performing his previous job as an electrician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sleep disturbance disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma stressor related disorder and persistent depressive disorder. The Board found that there is a nexus between the Veteran's in-service MST event and his current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder due to military sexual trauma (MST) and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to her reported harassment during service, resolving any doubt in her favor.