Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as the Veteran's current disability arose during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 27, 2023. The Board has determined that a TDIU is warranted beginning on this date. However, the AOJ must correct any duplicate ratings for his service-connected conditions and refer the case to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU prior to July 27, 2023.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, was granted. The evidence submitted since the June 2018 rating decision supports a finding that the Veteran experienced in-service stressors related to military service which led to his current psychiatric conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically PTSD. The VA will need to obtain additional medical nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The Veteran was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, which accounts for his psychiatric symptoms.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's tension headaches are caused by his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and paraspinal muscle strain, cervical strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board will determine if there is a relationship between her current diagnoses and her military service.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the absence of a current diagnosis. The claims for left and right foot disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and requests additional information from the Veteran regarding his in-service stressors, as well as an addendum opinion from the private examiner who provided the November 2023 opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including MDD and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder and unspecified/generalized anxiety disorder, as well as the readjudication of a previously denied claim for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence linking her conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder to include TBI, and posttraumatic headaches are denied. The claim for restoration of the 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism is granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, are granted as they are related to verified stressors experienced during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, is being remanded due to incomplete records. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions but needs his complete SPRs, private treatment records, and SSA records to be obtained.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder was improperly reduced from a 70% to a 50% rating, and the 70% rating is restored. Service connection for endometriosis is granted, and a 30% disability rating for residuals of ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids s/p hysteroscopy and perforation of the cervix is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and other conditions, has been dismissed due to their passing away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for skin cancer of the nose, ears, and face and depression as secondary to skin cancer. The evidence supports that these conditions are related to in-service exposure to sunlight.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of back disability due to it being decided prior to the implementation of the Appeals Modernization Act. The right leg neuropathy and acquired psychiatric disabilities (anxiety and major depression) are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 4, 2016 for the award of a TDIU due to service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress. The Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since February 2015.