Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without assistive devices and lack of blindness in both eyes.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right ankle, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection and rating determinations related to various conditions, including knee disabilities, depression, arthritis, and fractures. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder was denied as there is no evidence to support a prior effective date before June 23, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and anxious distress is rated at 70 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD and anxious distress is denied. TDIU is remanded due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder is granted a 70 percent rating from May 1, 2019.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 100 percent effective December 8, 2020.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) has been granted as of December 8, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD and MDD was granted with an effective date of June 13, 2012, the date she initially informed VA about her need for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of major depressive disorder with insomnia was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, GAD and panic disorder without agoraphobia, MDD, and AUD. The appeal regarding sleep disturbances is denied as there are no other non-substance-use related disorders that have been diagnosed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, and a VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions have been rated at 50 percent since January 7, 2019. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation due to new evidence or changes in circumstances.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder (claimed as PTSD). Additionally, the Board has also granted SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ due to the Veteran's service-connected disability. The decision is subject to the laws and regulations governing monetary awards.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to October 4, 2017, for the award of a 100 percent rating for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is dismissed.,An initial compensable rating for scar as residual of anal fissure is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for anal fissure scar prior to October 20, 2011, is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, as the VA examiner's opinion relied on recent mental health treatment records and ignored other diagnoses.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs further examination to determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service, including fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Basic Eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).,The Board denied both claims, finding that the earliest effective dates were September 26, 2019.

The Board has restored service connection for PTSD with panic attacks and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the original grant was due to clear and unmistakable error.