Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his unspecified depressive disorder and right index finger limitation of motion was denied. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent or 10 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is granted an increased rating to 70 percent, effective May 24, 2016. The symptoms of his psychiatric disability more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent effective February 25, 2021.,The Veteran's GERD with IBS and Barrett's esophagus is rated at 30 percent effective February 25, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder and Anxious Distress resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and denied service connection for Depression. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service, while the depression symptoms are considered part of his PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and initial rating of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, was granted with a 100% disability rating effective January 29, 2018. The earlier effective date for DEA eligibility is also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence meeting the regulatory requirements for establishing a current disability. The claims for service connection for depression and left knee condition are remanded as there is insufficient competent medical evidence on file to make a reasoned determination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a valid fee agreement, and thus denied eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in November 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in verifying the Veteran's claimed stressor.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder. The VA is asked to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is related to his service due to racial harassment he experienced during military service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the other issues related to PTSD and psychiatric disorders, low back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to incomplete or inadequate evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD with major depressive disorder due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress was denied. The claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and denied service connection for Depression. The Veteran's PTSD is related to his active service, while the depression symptoms are considered part of his PTSD.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from March 1, 2017, due to his service-connected Depressive Disorder and associated disabilities preventing him from securing or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been dismissed as moot due to their having already been granted in a December 2020 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder with bipolar disorder II has been granted effective April 9, 2019.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the AOJ not having considered his service-connected low back disability, which was granted and assigned a rating effective from April 30, 2014. The combined rating now includes three disabilities, potentially qualifying him for schedular TDIU.