Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD with sleep disturbances is granted a 70 percent rating since September 17, 2019. The severity of his symptoms more closely approximates the level required for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 17, 2020, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is denied. The Board found that VA did not fail to assist in filing a claim, and there was no duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the validity of the overpayment and the university's decision on the Veteran's withdrawal request. The VA will need to gather additional information from the university and the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis as secondary to service-connected right knee and lumbar spine arthritis. The rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a disability evaluation has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for Total Disability Rating for Compensation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria, and an increased rating for psychiatric disorder prior to the decision being finalized.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorders have been granted a 70 percent rating, effective prior to June 15, 2021. The Veteran has also been found unemployable based solely on his PTSD.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 22, 2006 for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder. This decision is based on new military personnel records received after a previous denial in October 2006.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, was rated at 70 percent effective January 24, 2020.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression and anxiety is moot as your claim was fully granted in a May 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression secondary to service-connected tinnitus is being remanded due to the AOJ relying almost solely on the VA examination, which was criticized for not considering the veracity of the notations in the Veteran's Santa Rosa Counseling records. A new VA examination and opinion are required.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining relevant records and providing adequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities are now pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, finding that no claim was submitted within one year of her discharge from active duty or prior to February 22, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the case to obtain SSA records related to his disability claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder was denied as the evidence did not show total social or total occupational impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including unspecified depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder, did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neoplasm of the kidney and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's exposure during service is presumed to include burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied, and the Board has decided to remand it due to a duty to assist error regarding Social Security records.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claim(s) at this time and must dismiss this appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury is remanded.