Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, which meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's MDD, unspecified anxiety disorder and insomnia disorder are rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective June 20, 2018.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied prior to August 10, 2022 due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As of August 10, 2022, the Veteran received a 100% rating for lung adenocarcinoma and TDIU is moot as he now meets the schedular requirements.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because she already has a 100% evaluation for PTSD with an unspecified depressive disorder and excoriation, which renders her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, should be remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The issues include verifying in-service stressor events and obtaining missing STRs and SPRs.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified stressor and trauma disorder and major depressive disorder, is found to be related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's MDD to include alcohol use disorder resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating since March 2, 2023.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination in August 2020, and a new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted, and he is now rated at a 70 percent disability rating. The effective date of the award will be July 23, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for major depressive disorder, service connection for hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for right-hand osteoarthritis were denied. The appeal for service connection for a left hand condition was also denied.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is related to his service-connected back disability and diabetes mellitus, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) due to his service-connected major depressive disorder, which requires regular aid and attendance as of September 11, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU prior to July 30, 2022 is dismissed. The Veteran also requested assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptation, but this was denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and major depression, are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and continued after her active service.

The Board denied effective dates prior to April 4, 2017 for service connection of various conditions and granted other benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current psychiatric conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural errors and the need for a VA examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and an earlier effective date for the 70% disability rating for his service-connected persistent depressive disorder with mood congruent psychotic features has been granted.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 1, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.