Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, cystitis, and urinary incontinence. The decision grants SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's MDD and migraine headaches have been rated at the maximum available evaluation (50 percent), but the Board has remanded to reassess these conditions.,The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims related to his MDD or migraine headaches are also being remanded.

The reduction in the rating for major depressive disorder and PTSD from 100 percent to 70 percent, effective February 1, 2020, was improper. The Veteran's condition has not shown actual improvement since then.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches (claimed as cephalgia).

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring the AOJ to obtain an opinion on whether VA treatment caused additional disability and if so, whether it was due to carelessness or negligence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his current diagnosis of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's current back disorder is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it began during active service.,Service connection for a mental health disability (including bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression) is denied. The Board found no evidence of aggravation in-service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the appropriate rating for PTSD and whether the Veteran should be granted TDIU prior to October 19, 2021. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back condition, left hip arthritis with strain, right ankle and left ankle. The Veteran's mental health conditions are being reviewed due to a lack of probative weight in the October 2019 VA examination, while his back and ankle conditions require clarification regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that it is due to her service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left knee condition and an increased rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his claimed onset of symptoms during active service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder from 70% to 70%, finding that the reduction was not proper due to a lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms have been rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU based solely on his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) from February 19, 2019 onward. The evidence did not show that MDD alone prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service stressors or a link between current symptoms and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depression as secondary to the Veteran's anal sphincter impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted, with the earliest possible effective date being March 22, 2017.