Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and unspecified alcohol use disorder was denied as the evidence did not support a 100% disability evaluation due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded for further development, including verification of stressors and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 23, 2001 for the award of TDIU and DEA benefits. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation since that date.

The Veteran's low back disability, radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves, and depression have been granted service connection with effective dates set at October 15, 2010. The rating for his low back condition is denied as it does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that her service-connected conditions rendered her helpless or in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her psychiatric disabilities, including somatic symptom disorder, major depressive disorder, anxious distress, and alcohol use disorder, was denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for her depressive disorder and bereavement was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating, with the exception of occasional periods of significant stress which decreased work efficiency.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including rescanning illegible service treatment records and making a clear determination regarding exposure basis.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for a lumbar spine condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and a respiratory condition due to new evidence received since the November 2012 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, and the Board finds in favor of granting TDIU based on this finding.

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 to determine if they are related to service, while his physical conditions are being evaluated to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding whether the current diagnosis was related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depression with symptoms of sleep disorder, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and memory issues is granted. The case is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for TBI with Major Depressive Disorder was denied, and the request for an earlier effective date for the 70 percent rating was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his current depression had its onset in service and is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a failure to provide necessary VA examinations. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and GERD with acid reflux.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of October 20, 2011 for service connection for PTSD with depression and an initial rating of 70 percent for the condition. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence received during the appeal period.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder is granted, with the effective date being August 23, 2016. The Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms warrant this higher rating based on occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the need for VA examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathies, retinopathy, cataracts, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied multiple times, but new and material evidence was received within one year of each denial. The most recent denial became final as the Veteran did not file a timely appeal or opt-in to the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system. Therefore, the earliest effective date for the award of service connection is February 12, 2020.