Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder were initially rated at 50 percent prior to May 21, 2010. A rating of 70 percent was granted from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was initially denied in July 2013. In October 2023, the Veteran submitted a supplemental claim listing this issue. The March 2024 rating decision granted service connection for depression and awarded past-due benefits. Attorney fees are now eligible based on these decisions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, with a remand on his lumbosacral strain claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, while his acquired psychiatric disabilities are also granted as they began during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as his inability to work is due to non-service connected conditions.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 13, 2020 for the award of a 70 percent rating for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with insomnia disorder and major depression. The Veteran also met the criteria for eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance from April 13, 2020.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and the effective date for this grant of service connection is set at January 1, 2007.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder resulted in total occupational and social impairment, including persistent danger of harm to others and auditory hallucinations. The Board has granted a disability rating of 100 percent for accrued purposes.

The Veteran's initial rating for Major Depressive Disorder was granted at a 50 percent level, effective April 17, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on multiple sclerosis and related conditions have been dismissed as the legacy Notice of Disagreement remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as the prior denials became final due to lack of appeal and no new and material evidence was received during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, and his military service. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected left shoulder tendonitis. The Veteran's VA examiner found no current diagnosis of depression according to DSM-5 criteria but noted mild anxiety and mild depression.

The Veteran's depression symptoms have not reached a level of near-continuous panic or depression affecting her ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively. The Veteran maintains her personal hygiene, can manage her financial affairs, has intact judgment and thinking, and has established effective relationships with family members.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran's right knee extension was 15 degrees during flare-ups and with repeated use over time, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating under DC 5261.

The Board has granted effective dates of February 21, 2020 for the service connection of various conditions including left quad tendon tear, major depressive disorder, intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis, thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, tinnitus, surgical scar, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine status post C5-C7 ACDF with residual IVDS, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and residual neck scar. The effective dates are based on the Veteran's timely filed claims within one year of his intent to file.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran's TDIU claim prior to November 30, 2023, is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for various issues related to PTSD, erectile dysfunction, SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and tinnitus prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.