Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors for his PTSD claim and the need to obtain additional private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected persistent depressive disorder was granted, with an initial rating of 70 percent effective November 7, 2022. The appeal regarding entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 31, 2023 is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polycythemia vera, adjudicated as 'adult leukemia,' is granted. The claim for a rating greater than 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) and a left knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with chronic depression is currently rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of his disability and to obtain relevant employment information for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for fibromyalgia and depressive disorder with insomnia prior to September 11, 2020, is denied. The current ratings of 40 percent for fibromyalgia and 70 percent thereafter for depressive disorder with insomnia are found to be appropriate based on the evidence.

The Board has granted a rating of 100 percent for Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have resulted in total occupational and social impairment due to persistent suicidal ideation.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities need to be evaluated for their impact on his ability to care for himself.

The Veteran's PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder are service-connected.,Diverticulitis is also service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and anxiety is granted, but the case is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, review of outstanding records, and application of the combat presumption.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with PTSD and GERD.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety, and depression were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a penile condition was remanded due to the lack of evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for chronic adjustment disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to their mild nature and impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating greater than 30 percent for GERD was dismissed due to the case being in the legacy review system.,A 100 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with psychotic features has been granted, effective from December 16, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent throughout the review period. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot because there is no indication that any single disability alone warrants a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as they do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was characterized by various symptoms, but did not result in total social and occupational impairment. The Board denied an increased rating for the period from June 29, 2010, to April 3, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected depression and degenerative joint disease of the spine, specifically for the period prior to January 13, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain relevant private treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, are being reconsidered.