Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant based on his service-connected disabilities. The claims are also remanded to determine if his pansinusitis constitutes an inhalation injury.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The diagnoses are based on evidence of personal assault (MST) during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral flatfeet and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's pes planus was noted on entry, but there is uncertainty about whether it worsened during service. For the psychiatric claim, the Veteran had treatment for depression in service, and the Board finds that remand is needed to determine if his current condition is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his service-connected disabilities and his current mood disorder with depression.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, specifically unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a procedural error in failing to notify him of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ issued its decision.

The Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance were denied as the effective dates requested are not warranted under the applicable laws.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected other specified depressive disorder is denied. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted effective September 26, 2019. The initial rating of 70% is maintained. TDIU was also granted effective September 26, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to December 22, 2018, for a 50 percent rating for PTSD with depressive disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of worsening symptoms or occupational and social impairment warranting such a rating prior to December 22, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and tension headaches. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service events or injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claim(s) at this time.

Your claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, has been fully granted with a rating of 30 percent effective December 29, 2023. The appeal is dismissed as moot since the benefit requested (service connection) has already been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder and anxiety, finding no error in the April 23, 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding the reduction of his service-connected depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and stimulant use disorder in early remission, leaving no issues for appellate consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and persistent depressive disorder with mild alcohol use disorder, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted, but the Board finds additional evidence is needed to determine if he has a current diagnosis of PTSD and whether his sleep disturbances are separate from his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have led to the need for regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as it is a lesser benefit than SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and PTSD) was rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.