Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, lumbar spine strain, and depression as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent from February 8, 2018 to October 7, 2020 and 50 percent as of October 8, 2020.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as noncompensable. The remand requires obtaining private treatment records from Indiana Spine Group and Indiana University Neurology to determine the appropriate disability rating.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as noncompensable. The remand requires obtaining private treatment records from Indiana Spine Group and Indiana University Neurology to determine the appropriate disability rating.,The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50 percent effective October 8, 2020. The remand requires obtaining private treatment records from Indiana Spine Group and Indiana University Neurology to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder is dismissed because a separate legacy system appeal already exists for the same issue.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for major depressive disorder and stimulant use disorder has been dismissed because the Veteran passed away during the pendency of the appeal.

New evidence has been received that supports the Veteran's claim for service connection of colorectal cancer.,New evidence has been received that supports the Veteran's claim for service connection of right lung nodules and COPD.,New evidence has been received that supports the Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension.,New evidence has been received that supports the Veteran's claim for service connection of loss of teeth secondary to colorectal cancer.,New evidence has been received that supports the Veteran's claim for service connection of a kidney condition.,New and relevant evidence has been received that supports the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, mood swings, panic attacks, anger issues, and nightmares.

The Veteran's MDD and GAD have been granted service connection, but the rating remains at 50 percent. The effective date for this award is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error prior to the September 2019 rating decision, and the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Board found that the grant of service connection for unspecified trauma/stressor-related disorder, major depressive disorder was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. Therefore, it granted restoration of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder is dismissed. The claims for ratings in excess of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss and 10 percent for tinnitus are denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder and service connection for major depressive disorder, recurrent severe without psychotic features due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and major depressive disorder due to insufficient medical evidence, including VA treatment records that show diagnoses of mental health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder, to include depression) is evaluated at a 70 percent rating. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 70 percent as the evidence did not show total social or occupational impairment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, panic disorder, insomnia, and other impulse disorder, are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status, as he is able to leave his home for medical appointments and grocery shopping.

The Board has denied service connection for depression, anxiety, erectile dysfunction, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis as there is no probative medical evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for schizophrenia unspecified is dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn their appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and high blood pressure have been denied. The Board has also remanded the claim of entitlement to a TDIU.,There is no evidence linking the Veteran's current diagnoses of depression and high blood pressure to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal seeking an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and an effective date earlier than January 30, 2019, for the award of service connection for PTSD has been dismissed.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 30 percent from May 3, 2019 to April 11, 2020. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were not severe enough to interfere with occupational and social functioning or require continuous medication.