Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has denied an increased rating. The Veteran was also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD with panic attacks, alcohol use disorder, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, is found to be related to active service.,While the Veteran has a current diagnosis of tinnitus, there is no evidence of hearing loss for VA purposes during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder was dismissed as the claim has been granted by a prior decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the cases for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the restoration of a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is denied. The appeal for an effective date of April 26, 2019, but no earlier, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claim for service connection for memory loss. The case is remanded due to a lack of an adequate VA examination in the context of the acquired psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, is remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine if his current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Veteran's MDD with ADHD has been granted an initial 70 percent disability rating, effective May 11, 2020. The symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression was incurred during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to May 31, 2012, and a TDIU. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively service-connected due to exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Thailand. His unspecified depressive disorder and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are also granted, with the latter two conditions being presumed based on their association with diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including MDD, PTSD, insomnia, and GERD with hiatal hernia and IBS, have prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment since October 2, 2020. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted from this date.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (characterized as anxiety and depression) and sleep apnea due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 17, 2019 for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder is granted. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 10, 2020 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion from a clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, and depression NOS and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The Veteran's reported symptoms in service are considered credible, and the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The rating reduction of the Veteran's depressive disorder from 70 percent to 0 percent, effective August 1, 2020, was not proper; therefore, the 70 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including anxiety and depression, is related to his duties in the Airborne infantry during service.,The Veteran's left wrist sprain is proximately due to his service-connected right and left knee conditions. The VA examiner opined that it was more likely than not that his service-connected knee conditions have worsened his acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder was denied as the Veteran did not timely appeal the November 2016 rating decision and filed a supplemental claim on September 28, 2020.