Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and agoraphobia are related to her active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to October 18, 2017, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and other specified depression is granted an initial rating of 70 percent prior to May 16, 2022. The TDIU claim and SMC at the statutory housebound rate are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tonsil infection, bowel strike, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder, anxiety, and dementia), and Parkinson's Disease. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's effective date for adding her child, M.J., to her VA disability compensation award is granted as April [REDACTED], 2020. This decision is based on the birth of her daughter within one year and the continuation of her existing disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted effective August 22, 2019. The earliest possible effective date is set at this time.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and the appellant's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is now considered more broadly.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for annual clothing allowances for a back brace, left ankle brace, and left knee brace in 2021 due to insufficient evidence of damage to clothing. The claim for menthol camphor gel topical medication was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder caused his alcohol and substance abuse, which contributed to his death from congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for his major depressive disorder and service connection for a sleep disorder was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not rise to the level required for a 100 percent rating, but were sufficient for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, but he is now granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder NOS, and Panic Disorder. The diagnoses are based on his in-service knee pain and subsequent mental health issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted in an October 6, 2021 rating decision. The issue is now dismissed as moot because the Veteran has already received a full grant of the benefit sought.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) because the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU until April 17, 2009. The effective date is set at this date as it is the earliest possible effective date given that the Veteran met the schedular criteria and there was no formal claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for major depressive disorder, an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility, and TDIU prior to November 12, 2020 are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder with adjustment disorder, is rated at 70 percent disabling from June 6, 2017. Effective dates for TDIU, DEA benefits, and SMC are also granted as of June 6, 2017.

The Veteran's request for an extension of her delimiting date for Chapter 33 educational assistance benefits was denied because the evidence did not clearly establish that she was prevented from initiating or completing her chosen program of education due to a physical or mental disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability and PTSD have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment, leading to a TDIU grant.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted based on her service-connected migraines. The combined rating of all service-connected disabilities is at least 60%, meeting the criteria for SMC housebound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are related to her service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and other conditions, granting her claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU related to his PTSD is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination in light of evidence suggesting a possible worsening of his mental health disorder.