Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder, as well as TDIU, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence from SSA.

The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding these conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran's reported in-service stressors have been corroborated by credible supporting evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to her symptoms being mild or transient.,Both left and right tibial stress fractures are currently rated at 10 percent each under DC 5260/5003.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to September 13, 2014, resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring the Veteran to be provided with a VA examination to assess his acquired psychiatric disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of corroborated stressor evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder (UDD) is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to readjudicate her claims for service connection for right shoulder, rotator cuff tendonitis and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim of service connection for right shoulder, rotator cuff tendonitis is remanded due to new evidence supporting a link between the condition and military service. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as there are no clear indications that it was not incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder and diabetes mellitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective May 28, 2021. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty regarding the date of submission of the Veteran's waiver claims, which may have been untimely. The Veteran and his representative assert that they submitted their original set of waiver claims on February 28, 2020, but there is no evidence in the file supporting this claim. The Board will review the files to determine if such a document exists.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including recurrent depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder. The evidence shows that the Veteran's symptoms began during his military service and have continued since then.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to June 12, 2023. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder was granted an initial increased rating of 70 percent prior to March 29, 2022. Additionally, the Veteran was granted a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome were dismissed as the benefits sought have been granted.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a respiratory condition, peripheral arterial disease, stable angina, fevers (also claimed as Meningeal disease), and bilateral hearing loss were dismissed as the benefits sought have been granted.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder, left hip bursitis, and right ankle sprain are all rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria.,No effective date earlier than March 13, 2018 for any service connection awards was granted.,The Veteran's disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on their severity.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress due to pre-decisional deficiencies in the medical opinion provided.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance and supports a grant of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, OCD, anxiety, and depression. The evidence submitted did not provide new information that would support a link between her current diagnoses and her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for MDD was denied, and his claim for TDIU was granted.