Depression decisions — 2024

Service connection is granted for generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right knee disability, left hip disability, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol and cocaine abuse rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment prior to February 11, 2020. The Board granted his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is now rated at 30 percent, which aligns with the criteria for moderate incomplete paralysis.,The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy remains at a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar degenerative joint disease, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressive disorder, peripheral nerve conditions, and right shoulder osteoarthritis preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence of a verified in-service stressor, which is necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete records development, including verification of service dates and treatment records. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for private treatment records and any stressor information. A VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with major depressive and neurocognitive disorders during the July 2, 2024 Board hearing.

The Board dismissed the appeal as to an earlier effective date for service connection due to a prior decision already adjudicating this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD due to a lack of adequate notice regarding scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran's current left knee disability is denied as there is no evidence showing it began during active service or is otherwise related to in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for MDD with unspecified anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain, and TMJ was denied. The Veteran's seborrhea dermatitis and nephrolithiasis were also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with symptoms of depression and obsessive compulsive disorder personality traits is now rated at 70 percent from March 28, 2016, to the present. An earlier effective date for service connection has been denied.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 50% initially but is now rated at 70%, effective November 3, 2017.,Right knee contusion and instability were both granted service connection with an effective date of June 19, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation on a schedular basis from April 29, 2020. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in approximate balance and supports a finding that his major depressive disorder is related to his active service and secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, is found to be caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected chronic myofascial pain syndrome with degenerative disc disease lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities not meeting the required percentage ratings.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including anxiety and depression, is denied as not being related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for PTSD due to MST is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder are related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits effective October 20, 2016.,An earlier effective date for DEA benefits prior to January 27, 2020 is also granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates in a May 2024 Board hearing, effectively dismissing all related issues.