Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder, moderate with anxious distress, was rated at 50 percent and denied an increased rating.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD are currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with TBI, migraine headaches, chronic sinusitis, and deviated nasal septum are all rated. The rating for the adjustment disorder is granted at 70 percent, effective February 4, 2020. The ratings for the other conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 100 percent effective July 6, 2020.,Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate is also granted as of July 6, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder with major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective September 11, 2020. The appeal for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating was denied.

Your temporary total evaluation for surgical convalescence following a right proximal row carpectomy is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted with service connection for PTSD and SMC at housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressor and inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to corroborate the claimed stressor and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on the etiology of the acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since January 2021, but the Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities were denied increased ratings, while the TDIU claim prior to January 29, 2020, was also denied.

The Veteran's 70% rating for PTSD and MDD is restored, and she is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is granted, with the effective date set at July 26, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete records, inadequate examinations, and potential errors in the initial rating decisions. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence and VA treatment records, as well as obtain any vocational rehabilitation or Chapter 31 records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The MDD rating was not granted higher than 70 percent, the OSA rating was not granted higher than 50 percent, and effective dates were granted for MDD, TDIU, and DEA.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as the evidence does not show a level of impairment greater than Roman numeral designation I in both ears. The issues of service connection for other specified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD secondary to left shoulder injury are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address issues related to the Appellant's character of discharge, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and mental health history. The AOJ is required to obtain missing service treatment records and provide a VA examination to assess the Appellant's mental state at the time of his discharge from service and any current acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70% effective October 25, 2018 to June 10, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating or an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, narcolepsy, migraine headaches, memory loss, bilateral eye condition, depression, and heart condition have all been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 for left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as the August 2014 VA examination that diagnosed PTSD was found to be erroneous, and there is no credible evidence of an in-service stressor. The Veteran's current diagnosis is unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress.