Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, was granted an increased initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's rating for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective December 21, 2019. The reduction is void ab initio and the prior rating of 70% is restored. Additionally, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal in February 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, pure dysthymic syndrome, and adjustment disorder with depressive and anxious features. The persuasive weight of the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's MDD was initially rated at 70 percent prior to August 16, 2018. From that date until February 13, 2020, the evidence is in equipoise as to whether a higher 100 percent rating should be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that her obesity, which is related to her mental health conditions, led to her current condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as Social Adjustment Disorder) to include PTSD and depression, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and hypertension. The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. No service connection is granted for any condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression with psychotic features, is related to service and remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide an examination and seek a medical opinion, as it is necessary to determine if any diagnosed psychiatric disabilities are related to active-duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder renders him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as determined by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain, Parkinsonism, and depression, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate disability, hypertension (HTN), acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder and hip disabilities, hepatitis C, bilateral pes planus, left shin splint, left hip disability, right shin splint, neck disability, right knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to pre-decisional errors in the development process.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disabilities, including depression. The VA will need to provide a new examination and opinion addressing all diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's GAD with PDD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for consideration of an earlier effective date prior to May 19, 2018, on an extraschedular basis. The AOJ must refer the case to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Veteran's cause of death is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requests an updated medical opinion to determine the cause of his glioblastoma and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Board has granted a new and relevant evidence readjudication of the claim for an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) to 70 percent, but denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and assistance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.