Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, warranting readjudication of the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder. The case is also remanded to consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, degenerative joint disease, herniated nucleus pulposus, unspecified depressive disorder, cervical radiculopathies, and metatarsophalangeal joint fusion, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's OSA is rated at 50% since October 1, 2019. The PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

An earlier effective date of July 12, 2020, is granted for the award of a 70 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and agoraphobia with panic attacks.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression, anxiety, and mood disorder is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the symptoms did not more nearly approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have been rated at 70 percent since September 19, 2003. The rating for PTSD remains in effect from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for an adequate examination.

The appeal challenging the reduction in rating for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with somatic symptom disorder from 70 percent to 30 percent is granted, and a restoration of a 70 percent rating is granted. The appeal seeking service connection for PTSD under the AMA appeals system is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected specified trauma and stressor related disorder with major depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) due to lack of evidence showing a prior claim or entitlement before March 17, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and psychiatric disability. The evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities or a link to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is granted as service-connected due to MST. The left carpal tunnel syndrome remains at a 10% disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Unspecified Depressive Disorder, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD. The decision finds that her current symptoms are related to her military service.

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 and post-traumatic stress disorder. The VA examiner found that the service-connected major depressive disorder did not contribute to his death, but there are inconsistencies in the medical records regarding the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of his death. The Board has ordered additional development to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits eligibility are granted with an effective date of April 15, 2015. The earlier effective dates for these benefits were determined based on the Veteran meeting the criteria for a total service-connected disability that was permanent in nature since this date.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including alcohol use disorder, dementia, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia disorder, and major depressive disorder, as well as a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for adhesive pleurisy and painful scar. The decision also noted that the appellant did not meet the criteria to be considered a dependent child or have evidence showing she bore the expense of the Veteran's last illness and burial.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to PTSD with depression and insomnia, should be remanded due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding direct service connection and aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 5, 2020 for the Veteran's 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder and a grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). This is due to evidence showing an increase in severity during the one-year lookback period.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (APD) to include PTSD, with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also receives a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including APD. OSA secondary to APD is also granted.