Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective July 18, 2013. The rating for TDIU from July 18, 2013, to August 13, 2014, remains granted.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at a 70 percent disability level, which grants the requested increased rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder and TBI is currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and he has been granted service connection for OSA. However, he was denied a TDIU as his service-connected disability does not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches/migraines, dizziness, and individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inadequate medical opinions in the April 2020 rating decision. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was granted due to the finding of a well-grounded claim, as evidence showed continuity of symptoms and a nexus between in-service and current conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to residuals of prostate cancer with urinary incontinence. However, the TDIU claim was denied due to insufficient evidence showing the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder prior to March 15, 2021 is denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection remains September 18, 2012.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, depression, Parkinson's with dementia, lower back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, and right foot and left foot disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link to active service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available. Service connection has been granted for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as well as obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected depressive disorder has been denied. The Board found that the symptoms associated with the Veteran's depressive disorder more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but not total occupational and social impairment.

Service connection for migraine headaches is granted. From April 17, 2019, through October 3, 2019, a 70 percent rating for PTSD with GAD and MDD is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the psychiatric disorder claim.

Service connection is granted for unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD, but the claim of service connection for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, as well as the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), are granted with an effective date of September 4, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's depressive disorder due to head injury with depressive features is not shown to be manifested by symptoms productive of total occupational and social impairment, thus the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran did not have a pending claim for accrued benefits at the time of his death, and has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of death.

The Board has dismissed all the claims related to various conditions, including trochanteris pain syndrome, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, asthmatic bronchitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep apnea, migraines, and a bulging disc. The Veteran withdrew her appeal through her authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with panic attacks is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 27, 2018 is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 prior to June 27, 2018 is dismissed.