Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of November 13, 2014. The Board found that the earlier effective date is not warranted as there were no formal or informal claims prior to this date.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent evaluation for major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, with psychotic features (psychiatric disability) is granted beginning February 11, 2003. An initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for psychiatric disability is denied throughout the appeal period. Beginning February 11, 2003, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for MDD, recurrent mild with residuals of TBI and a rating in excess of 70 percent beginning February 12, 2019 has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent and to a compensable rating thereafter, for right knee instability, and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disability, and a left knee scar due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder with anxious distress. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran and finds that his current condition is related to his military service.

The appeal is dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal and due to administrative error, the appeal was docketed twice.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted. The TDIU claim is also granted, but the effective date for the right knee disability remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not verifying the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). The AOJ is required to make efforts to verify these dates.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on this matter as it is no longer pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for his psychiatric disabilities, and the Board has dismissed this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action due to the need to consider additional evidence and determine if he qualifies for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disorders resulted in his discharge from military service, meeting the criteria for basic eligibility for VA home loan benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the initial decision and a need for further development, including verification of PTSD stressors and an examination to determine if the acquired psychiatric disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for migraine headaches is granted retroactively from February 5, 2021. The claim for a psychiatric disability (diagnosed as depressive disorder) is remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion and possible earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his MDD and lumbosacral strain has been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the prior decision.,For TDIU, the effective date is also being remanded as there was not proper consideration of whether referral for extraschedular consideration was warranted.

The Board has remanded seven service connection claims for erectile dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, acid reflux with nausea, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, as well as sinusitis. The AOJ must attempt to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records from his last duty station at Fort Knox, KY.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with MDD is granted, effective April 2, 2019. The effective date of the award of a 70 percent disability rating for this condition is set at April 2, 2019.

The Board denied all service connection claims and the increased rating claim for myositis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable criteria. The Board has denied his request for a higher evaluation.