Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted as service connection, as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD including depression, credible evidence of an in-service stressor, and that the PTSD is related to this stressor.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding stressor events and a need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective January 14, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current symptoms of PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder are related to his in-service stressor, and service connection is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his major depressive disorder with insomnia after November 16, 2018 is being remanded due to the AOJ not having adjudicated this issue in its initial decision. The case must be returned to the AOJ for consideration of the merits of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder with anxious distress, is now pending.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder is granted an initial 50 percent disability rating, effective April 7, 2017.

The Veteran's MDD with anxious distress has been granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The disability is characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to military sexual trauma was dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU based on unspecified depressive disorder alone is granted from November 16, 2020. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is granted from February 24, 2021. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and insufficient rationale for the service connection of PTSD. Further development is needed, including verification of in-service stressor and an opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on being housebound is denied, while his claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is granted. The decision also notes that the Veteran requires assistance from his wife and son to perform daily living activities due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased disability rating higher than 30 percent for the service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder with depression.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was denied because the evidence did not show he is in need of regular aid and assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound status was also denied as he does not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, as she was able to complete some educational courses in social work.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder caused total occupational and social impairment from October 26, 2012 through May 16, 2017. The Board granted a 100 percent rating for this period.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, specifically related to TDIU and SMC based on aid and attendance.