Depression decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability, finding that neither his right knee nor left knee disabilities alone have precluded him from gainful employment during the period on appeal.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of service connection for depressive disorder from March 2, 2010. The claim for secondary service connection for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for a clarifying VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. The evidence shows that these conditions began during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and VA survivor pension benefits due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to the failure to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Y.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of persistent depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of March 12, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and substance abuse disorder, finding that the Veteran's current mental health conditions are at least as likely as not caused by her in-service personal assault and harassment.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinions provided in the January 2020 rating decision were inadequate, and thus remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to obtain additional service records and verify in-service stressors before making a final decision on the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including verifying the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and obtaining an addendum opinion clarifying the diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral feet frost bite has been granted due to new and relevant evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neoplasm osteochondroma distal right femur and proximal right tibia has been granted due to new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an earlier effective date prior to March 28, 2017, and for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected mild neurocognitive disorder with depression.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of August 27, 2019, for service connection of PTSD was granted. The effective date is based on the receipt of his intent to file a claim within one year prior to the petition to reopen.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a 50 percent rating. The issues of TDIU and a higher rating for back disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that there were pre-decisional errors and remands the case for further development, including seeking to corroborate in-service stressors and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was initially rated at 30 percent prior to February 18, 2015. From that date, the rating was increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's headaches are rated as noncompensable, and his depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to December 28, 2018, but no higher. From December 28, 2018 to April 21, 2022, the rating for his depressive disorder is denied.,The Veteran's headaches are rated as noncompensable and his depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to December 28, 2018. From December 28, 2018 to April 21, 2022, the rating for his depressive disorder remains denied.,The Veteran's headaches are rated as noncompensable and his depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to December 28, 2018. From December 28, 2018 to April 21, 2022, the rating for his depressive disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection as it had its onset within one year of separation from service.,Service connection for low back strain is denied due to lack of a nexus between the current condition and in-service injury.

The Board dismissed the appeal for TDIU as the VA Form 10182 did not constitute a valid motion for reconsideration of the November 2023 Board decision.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, but has remanded the claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability (TDIU).