Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including anxiety with depression and memory loss as due to an undiagnosed illness, was dismissed because the appeal is moot since their major depressive disorder has already been granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, to include as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric condition (persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress), should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are due to military sexual trauma (MST) and in-service personal trauma, respectively. The benefit of doubt is applied, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's major depression, recurrent moderately severe (previously rated as adjustment disorder with depressed mood), is granted a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to January 17, 2020. For the period beginning from January 17, 2020, his major depression is granted a 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, right knee condition, PTSD with depression, OSA, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as they have already been granted in prior decisions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is being reviewed again.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and anxiety have been granted a 70 percent disability evaluation from March 2, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms of near-continuous depression, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships meet the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Board granted an effective date of June 29, 2020, for a 100 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder (MDD) with anxious distress, panic disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The decision found that the Veteran's symptoms worsened on June 29, 2020, leading to the grant of the increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain an initial examination and opinion regarding the claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The appellant's VA treatment records include diagnoses for depression and anxiety.

The Veteran's MDD is granted with a rating of 70 percent prior to November 30, 2023. A higher rating is denied from that date forward.,A compensable disability rating for PFB is also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there is no link between his current condition and his military service. The Board concluded that the Veteran's OSA was less likely than not due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain relevant private treatment records from a non-VA hospital.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is granted, and the Board has remanded two issues for further examination: service connection for a headache condition secondary to major depressive disorder and service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the claims file is missing relevant medical evidence, including records from Dr. K.M., and therefore these claims are remanded for further action.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 5, 2016 for the award of service connection for PTSD, claimed as depression (related to: PTSD - Non-Combat), also claimed as anxiety condition with panic attacks and phobias.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective August 15, 2022. The appellant is eligible for direct payment of attorney fees from benefits resulting from this grant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder and depression. The AOJ needs to obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician to determine if the Veteran had a diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disability at any time during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 24, 2017 for TDIU was denied. The earliest effective date for TDIU is granted on February 24, 2017 when the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder was rated at 70%.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the minimum rating available. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for a 50%, 70%, or 100% disability rating.