Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's depressive disorder was evaluated at a 50 percent rating prior to January 5, 2022 and denied an evaluation higher than that.,From January 5, 2022 onwards, the Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent and remains denied for an increased evaluation.

An effective date of September 26, 2019 for a 100% rating for hepatitis C is granted. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and requires an addendum VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's OSA is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, including major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is being remanded due to an error in the previous VA opinion.,An effective date earlier than May 3, 2019, for the grant of service connection for PFB and major depressive disorder was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back spasms, persistent depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. The claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, characterized as a combination of depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was initially granted in February 2020 with a 30% rating. In January 2019, the disability manifested such that it caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, leading to a higher 70% rating from then on.

The Board has found that the Veteran may have more than one acquired psychiatric disorder and is remanding for a new medical opinion to determine which, if any, are service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, is due to his active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was denied multiple times, including in June 2014. The most recent petition to reopen the claim was received on October 26, 2020, and the effective date of service connection was granted as of that date.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need to clarify the extent to which symptoms of persistent depressive disorder were caused or aggravated by chronic endometriosis rather than a nonservice-connected back disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and prostatitis are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the prior decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for initial ratings for major depressive disorder and tension headaches has been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.

The Board has determined that there was a duty-to-assist error in the decision on appeal and requires a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is service-connected as it was caused by his service-connected depression and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder from June 29, 2007 to May 24, 2021 was denied. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms most closely approximated occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks during this period.