Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric condition is related to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is granted with an initial 70% rating effective August 30, 2011. An increased 20% rating for cervical strain is also granted from September 7, 2010.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating from October 1, 2013, to August 5, 2020. The appeal for higher ratings during the rest of the period was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder to include Anxiety and Depression, finding that there was no evidence showing a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are inextricably intertwined with his claims for remand. The claims have been REMANDED to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board found that a separate award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD would result in pyramiding. Therefore, the claim for such service connection was denied.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted an initial 70% rating. The service connection claim for dermatitis is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's PTSD, depression, alcohol use and cocaine use disorders are rated at 70 percent effective January 25, 2008. The VA Board found that the symptoms more closely approximated deficiencies in most areas for this rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and substance use disorder, as secondary to PTSD was granted. The decision is based on the established in-service stressor and current diagnoses.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of December 8, 2014 for service connection of PTSD. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms and treatment for PTSD began prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder has been granted a 100 percent rating for the entire appeal period, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for MDD was denied in December 2007, and the effective date of March 9, 2011, is not earlier than this denial.,The Veteran's claims for residuals of ingrown toenails of the right foot and left foot were denied in July 1981. The effective dates of January 10, 2011, are not earlier than these denials.,The Veteran's eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was established on March 9, 2011, and the effective date is not earlier than this determination.

The Veteran's partial gastrectomy with GERD is rated at 20 percent, and the initial rating for unspecified depressive disorder is granted at 70 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were not granted earlier than October 8, 2013 because he was not service-connected for any disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to his symptoms being fully contemplated by this rating.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted a rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as his major depressive disorder and left shoulder disability limit his employment options.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his service-connected other specified depressive disorder with other specified stressor related disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining medical opinions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, are found to be related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.,His left knee condition is determined to be at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent, with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent from September 24, 2019, through July 4, 2023.,A higher rating in excess of 70 percent for the entire period on appeal is denied.