Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is granted as service connected.,Major depression (claimed as anxiety and insomnia) is also granted as secondary to the left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development related to his claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and obstructive sleep apnea. The VA will attempt to verify the in-service stressor claimed by the Veteran and provide a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a disability rating of 50 percent from May 14, 2015 to March 12, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 70 percent rating for major depression disorder, recurrent, with anxious distress (claimed as mental health condition) has been dismissed because the benefit requested has already been granted by the April 2024 Board decision.

The Veteran's claims of a compensable disability rating for rheumatoid arthritis and service connection for depression, as secondary to rheumatoid arthritis are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, major depression, and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are linked to her reported in-service military sexual trauma (MST).

The Board has granted secondary service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety), and OSA, all of which are found to be proximately due or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected back condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of right hip trochanteric pain syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions and current disability ratings. The issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress (claimed as PTSD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were dismissed because the claims had already been granted in full in October 2020 and January 2021, respectively.

The Board has found that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate to adjudicate the claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, traumatic brain injury, left knee disability, right knee disability, and sleep apnea. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period beginning May 1, 2020, as he has a combined disability rating of 100% due to service-connected disabilities and was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran could perform activities of daily living with minor assistance or reminders from his spouse, and there is no evidence indicating he required regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at a 50 percent since June 16, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for higher ratings for GERD, rhinitis, sleep apnea, MDD, and ED. The Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations related to these issues constitutes a duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified anxiety disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran's representative provided additional information about his service and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression/anxiety, was rated at 50% prior to January 21, 2010. The VA granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities, effective from July 26, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 8, 2019, for his TDIU award due to lack of factual support for unemployability prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for GERD as secondary to service-connected MDD due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's current GERD disability is related to his service-connected MDD, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if it was caused or aggravated by the medication he takes for his MDD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain, right knee sprain, major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, and migraines, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to March 23, 2022.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and tension headaches have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran now receives a 100% rating for his depressive disorder prior to July 8, 2019, and a 70% rating thereafter for his tension headaches.