Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for persistent depressive disorder and persistent anxiety disorder due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective June 30, 2008. He also received TDIU and SMC for the specified periods.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive and anxiety disorders. The claim for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, unspecified depressive disorder, and anxiety due to potential service connection issues.,The VA examination was inadequate in addressing whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities are aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating from March 24, 2015 to September 15, 2016.,From September 15, 2016, the Veteran received a 100 percent rating for her PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder prior to February 12, 2021 and a TDIU prior to that date have been dismissed due to his death before the Board could consider them.

The Veteran's OSA with asthma is granted a 30% rating, effective July 16, 2024.,An effective date of August 1, 2020 for the increased rating of GERD to 10%. The Veteran's major depressive disorder remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors, as well as the need to verify the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current psychiatric disorders and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression and anxiety was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was also denied as there was no evidence of needing regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of an examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and migraine headaches. The AOJ is required to provide these examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a psychiatric disorder due to failure to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate medical examination and opinion regarding her claimed psychiatric disorders, right ankle, bilateral knee, and right wrist disabilities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence within 90 days.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted service connection, and his obstructive sleep apnea remains at a 50% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, finding that these conditions are inseparable from the Veteran's already service-connected PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board requires additional development to address the in-service stressor allegations and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has restored a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder and insomnia, effective May 1, 2020. The reduction from 50 to noncompensable was improper due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and needs further examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, specifically major depression, as secondary to his service-connected neuropathy, right upper extremity, right shoulder labrum tear degenerative arthritis, right wrist, with painful and limited motion and residual scars.