Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for headaches and depressive disorder (claimed as insomnia) secondary to tinnitus because these conditions were granted on a direct basis in other decisions, not related to this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 8, 2016 is granted as this is the date VA received her intent to file. The Board finds that she has continuously pursued her claim and thus, an effective date of August 8, 2016, but no earlier, is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress and bipolar depression, did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, psychosis, and/or PTSD, as well as alcohol use disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder was denied in a May 2018 rating decision. The Veteran did not appeal this decision within one year, making it final. In January 2021, the Veteran submitted a Supplemental Claim application requesting service connection for PTSD (which is similar to major depressive disorder with unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder). This claim was granted with an effective date of December 18, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings for anterior trunk, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity scars has been dismissed.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted. However, the claim for a rating greater than 60 percent for coronary artery disease prior to October 29, 2020 remains denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including both schedular and extraschedular considerations. The Board has dismissed the appeal as withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an additional examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on multiple conditions, including right hand, wrist and thumb condition, dizziness and nausea, ear condition, left and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and major depression. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating of his psychiatric disability and establishment of basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the increased evaluation of PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, TDIU, and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. The effective date is set at April 11, 2016.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is found to be related to his active duty service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms, warranting a 50 percent disability rating. The evidence did not show more severe manifestations that would justify a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The evidence shows that the Veteran's current depressive disorder is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's bladder incontinence due to excessive coughing and acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as depression and/or depressive disorder, are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or causal relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected anxiety and depressive disorder, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the Veteran's current mental condition is related to her in-service military sexual trauma-related event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hyperthyroidism due to herbicide exposure is dismissed as moot. Service connection for hypertension due to in-service herbicide exposure pursuant to the PACT Act and Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, remains pending.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, lumbar retrolisthesis and spinal narrowing from September 30, 2019 to December 8, 2020, and major depressive disorder have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent, effective as of the date of the decision.