Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several claims, including earlier effective dates and increased ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, left and right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, unspecified depressive disorder, TDIU, and DEA benefits. The Veteran's service records indicate possible exposure to herbicides in Thailand, which could support a presumption of exposure.

The Veteran's IBS, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and unspecified depressive disorder are granted service connection. The Veteran's sinusitis is also granted service connection on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act. An increased evaluation of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of major depressive disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder strain, anxiety disorder; and an increased rating for migraines. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to his failure to report to VA examinations in Ohio. The Board finds that he had good cause and the AOJ made a pre-decisional error by not scheduling him for an examination in Japan or via telehealth.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need to obtain Social Security Disability records and other pertinent information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features, is due to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The decision on whether he is entitled to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, as well as his entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, remains pending.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent since July 11, 2007. The Board has granted a higher rating for his depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression and adjustment disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations. The appeals are now pending and need to be reviewed with new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and depressive disorder have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of PTSD was denied as February 8, 2020 is the earliest date on which the increase in disability became factually ascertainable.,An effective date of January 19, 2021 but no earlier was granted for service connection of right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claim was remanded as there was not actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.,The rating reduction from 50% to 30% for migraines was found improper, and a 50% rating is restored.,Service connection for hypertension (high blood pressure), erectile dysfunction, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to adjudicate service connection for PTSD, depression, eating disorder, sleep disturbance, and anxiety condition prior to June 8, 2023.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, including from the PACT Act. The Veteran's psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to a service-connected thyroid disability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder during the period of December 11, 2012, to July 9, 2018, is granted a 70 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate (previously with alcohol abuse in remission), which is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, has been denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on service-connected PTSD alone has also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for further medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has granted service connection for the right knee condition. The issues of service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety, insomnia, and TBI are remanded due to failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, finding that his conditions did not begin in service or as a result of events during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, which may be related to his service-connected depressive disorder, is being remanded due to a lack of a current diagnosis and the need for further examination.