Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was denied. The issue of entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of May 26, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran had already manifested depression prior to filing her claim and thus the earlier effective date is appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne, depression, dizziness, and memory loss were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection could not be established as the evidence did not support a link between any of these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's PTSD and CFS were evaluated, with the Board finding that a higher rating was not warranted for either condition. The case was remanded for further evaluation of sleep apnea, ED, and CFS.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied due to his gainful employment during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression, adjustment disorder, and mood disorder, as secondary to his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral plantar fasciitis, low back strain, and neurogenic bladder disabilities is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer, but remanded the issues of secondary service connection for depression, anxiety and insomnia; hypertension; enlarged prostate; and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's depressive disorder (NOS) is rated at 10 percent prior to May 8, 2014, and at 50 percent from May 8, 2014, to January 5, 2020. From January 5, 2020, the Veteran's depressive disorder (NOS) is rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted in April 2020 with an effective date of February 21, 2018. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted service connection for bladder cancer, but remanded the issues of secondary service connection for depression, anxiety and insomnia; hypertension; enlarged prostate; and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his physical limitations and combined disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the November 2020 VA examination. A new medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 13, 2000, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder is denied. The Veteran's eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was granted on January 26, 2011.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 100% throughout the period on appeal, and he is granted SMC based on housebound status effective March 27, 2015. The TDIU claim is moot as his MDD alone meets the criteria for a 100% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information about the Veteran's service dates and inconsistencies in his medical records. The VA examiner will need to provide an updated opinion on whether any acquired psychiatric disability, including persistent depressive disorder, had its onset in and/or is etiologically related to his active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder (PTSD with MDD). The evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether PTSD with MDD caused or aggravated obesity, which led to OSA.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective February 26, 2018. The lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS and spinal stenosis is granted a 40 percent disability rating, effective August 10, 2018.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability alone rendered him unable to sustain substantially gainful employment from August 10, 2018 and he also had additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound effective August 10, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted, and the claim for Depression is remanded due to insufficient examination.