Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral breast disability and major depressive disorder are granted as they were proximately caused by VA carelessness or similar instance of fault in performing the corrective surgeries.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been presented to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The appeal is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors regarding in-service stressor verification, VA examination scheduling, and further development of post-service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, recurrent, with melancholic presentation, was restored to a 70 percent disability rating effective December 1, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted. The housebound rate is moot as the SMC based on aid and attendance is a greater benefit.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss is denied due to the audiometric findings not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for anxiety is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be related to current symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is remanded and will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and a need for a new medical opinion regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disease, trigeminal neuralgia pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), right lower peripheral neuropathy, left lower peripheral neuropathy, right peripheral vascular disease, left peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, and hypertension are being remanded due to the Veteran missing his VA examinations.,The Board finds that the Veteran presented good cause for having missed his appointments and therefore, the claims must be remanded to afford the Veteran adequate examinations and medical opinions regarding these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected Crohn's disease, anxiety/depressive disorder, and sleep apnea render him unable to maintain gainful employment due to his physical and mental impairments.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The VA is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA clinician addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD with major depressive disorder and insomnia disorder, resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Board found that this level of impairment most closely matched a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder, as the previous examination did not adequately consider all of his symptomology.

The Board granted an effective date of October 18, 2005 for the assignment of a 100 percent rating for hypothyroidism and depression. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance beginning from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder was denied in March 2003. The effective date of the award is set at January 26, 2012, based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran that established the presence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 10, 2018, for a 100 percent evaluation of PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder was denied. The request for individual unemployability (TDIU) is considered moot due to the Veteran having a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric condition including PTSD, with generalized anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder. Service connection was denied for bilateral eye condition and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied an increased rating for Major Depressive Disorder, and the AOJ subsequently granted a 100% rating effective April 14, 2021. The appellant is not eligible to direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in May 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, separate and distinct from his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, and the Board dismissed the claim.