Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, which reflects significant impairment in most areas of her life. The appeal for an increased rating has been granted.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding medical records from the Veteran's period of incarceration at Orange County Jail, which should be obtained to support his claim for service connection. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder was granted with an effective date of March 13, 2020. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was not properly appealed due to an improper VA Form 10182 submission. The issue is dismissed as a matter of law.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective February 16, 2018, due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, as he was unable to maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.,The initial disability rating for depressive disorder remains at 70 percent.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, due to a previous decision on this matter.

The Veteran's need of regular aid and attendance is due to non-service-connected physical disabilities, mainly his low back disability and peripheral neuropathy. The Board denies the claim for SMC based on the need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his social anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder is denied as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anxiety, insomnia, and depression is dismissed. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of reoccurring acute sinusitis due to his in-service exposure to particulate matter during his active service. Service connection is granted for this condition. Other claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the evidence supports a diagnosis of these conditions due to in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent, effective December 20, 2013. Additionally, the Veteran has a 60 percent rating for urinary incontinence, which meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder meet the schedular criteria for TDIU, granted effective November 20, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions has been remanded, and the claim for erectile dysfunction was withdrawn. The initial rating for MDD with GAD remains denied.

The Veteran requires assistance in accomplishing daily activities and is unable to protect himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with major depressive disorder, postoperative residuals of bowel injury, back condition, abdominal scars, radiculopathy, hernia, and a scar. SMC based on the regular need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, and depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The appeal for a higher initial rating for the psychiatric disorder has been denied. The Veteran was granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

Your claims for service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran's appeal is concurrent with his Higher-Level Review request.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ did not get medical nexus opinions for all diagnosed disorders other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) and entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder. The reasons include the need to obtain VA treatment records from the period on appeal.