Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent disabling prior to October 24, 2018 and 100 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU prior to September 27, 2011 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection.,The Veteran's GERD is secondary to his depressive disorder and thus also granted service connection.,There is no evidence of a lumbar spine disability in service, and it is denied.,Sleep apnea was not found in service and is also denied.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of December 7, 2018 for the award of service connection for depression with anxiety.,Service connection for radiculopathy in the left lower extremity as secondary to lumbar spine disability is granted. The Board also found that there was a current diagnosis of radiculopathy during the appeal period and remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy in the right upper extremity, including as secondary to lumbar spine disability and/or left shoulder disability, is remanded. The Board also found that there was a current diagnosis of radiculopathy during the appeal period and remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy in the left upper extremity, including as secondary to lumbar spine disability and/or left shoulder disability, is remanded. The Board also found that there was a current diagnosis of radiculopathy during the appeal period and remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 9, 2019 for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 is granted.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 100 percent for service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder, effective from August 24, 2018, but no earlier.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran. The stressor related to the death of his friend during service was found to be credible.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for somatic symptom disorder, including unspecified depressive and generalized anxiety disorders as secondary to tinnitus, is dismissed because the issue was previously addressed in a Supplemental Claim that was still pending at the time of the Board Appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder was granted, effective from December 10, 2004. The decision is based on new evidence received after the initial denial in May 2006.

The appellant withdrew all pending appeals regarding the ratings and service connection for various conditions, including major depressive disorder with anxious mood, asthma, allergic rhinitis, left ankle sprain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right hip osteoarthrosis, right knee osteoarthrosis, hypertension, fatigue, migraine, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's OSA and right ankle disability are granted service connection, while the Veteran's Persistent Depressive Disorder claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service-connected acquired psychiatric disability is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of insomnia as secondary to PTSD, increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder without psychotic features, and SMC based on housebound criteria being met was denied. The Appellant is not eligible for direct payment of attorney fees.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder (dysthymic disorder) was evaluated at a 30 percent rating throughout the period on appeal, and this decision denies an evaluation in excess of that.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation throughout the period on appeal, and thus granted his TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient nexus opinions regarding service connection for depression, including secondary service connection related to migraine headaches. The VA RO is required to obtain private treatment records and provide adequate opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since January 17, 2024. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates, higher initial ratings, and service connection were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Veteran was granted service connection for other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder with a 50% rating as secondary to depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder has resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% disability rating since May 24, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent disabling, and she now receives a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.