Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD. The examiner must consider all diagnoses of record and provide opinions on whether each is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and left wrist condition due to insufficient information in the record. The Veteran's claim for service connection will be reconsidered with a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his unspecified trauma/stressor related disorder and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating, but granted entitlement to TDIU based on the severity of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of depressive disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) and ED were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or persistent symptoms related to his service. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of nexus between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound criteria is denied. The issue of TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left ankle disability is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for depressive disorder is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right knee disability (secondary to service-connected right ankle disability) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with severe major depressive disorder, psychotic features, and panic disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for rhino-sinusitis is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and major depression, is granted. However, the claim for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and excoriation has been granted a 100 percent evaluation, reflecting total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating was a new claim, and the July 2022 decision was the initial decision on that claim. The appellant is not eligible to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the July 2022 rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of right thyroid mass with tracheal deviation, status post total thyroidectomy and unspecified depressive disorder. The claim for sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a finding of entitlement to TDIU for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for COPD, a heart condition, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder must be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The Veteran's toxic exposure risk activity is presumed under the PACT Act.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with somatic symptom disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as their PTSD, are found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder due to a lack of an opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to July 16, 2019 and denied for a higher rating thereafter. The effective date remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board finds that the Veteran was not provided adequate notice and time to submit evidence necessary to substantiate her claim under the 'Standard Claim Process'.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal.