Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is granted as service connected. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to exposure to toxins at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's right ear scar is not productive of characteristics of disfigurement, visible or palpable tissue loss, or gross distortion or asymmetry. The claim for a compensable rating for the right ear scar is denied.

The Veteran's alcohol use disorder is being remanded due to the possibility of secondary service connection. The rating for her unspecified depressive disorder needs to be reassessed as the previous examination only evaluated her alcohol use disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeals for lumbar disability, migraine headaches, anxiety and depression, and polycystic ovaries as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating.,Service connection for a cervical spine condition and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy due to that condition are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder is granted with an effective date of January 30, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and borderline personality disorder is denied as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those for service connection and higher ratings for various conditions. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, a left knee injury, and a low back disability have been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported these claims based on in-service events and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of major depressive disorder has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The rating reduction for hepatitis B from 20 to 10 percent, effective September 15, 2020, was proper. The Veteran's MDD manifestations prior to August 3, 2020, and thereafter, did not meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent or 100 percent rating, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been dismissed as the Regional Office already granted it in a previous decision.,Service connection for residual(s) of a right hip injury and left hip injury is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed mental disorders are related to service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of July 18, 2013, for the grant of entitlement to a TDIU is granted. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since at least July 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of his psychiatric disability was denied, as the evidence does not support total occupational and social impairment.,SMC based on aid and attendance/housebound is also denied due to lack of substantial confinement or need for regular assistance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, hemorrhoids, chronic sleep disorder, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for service connection for eye problems is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the claimed conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder with PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his in-service symptoms and experiences.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, MDD, and PSUD, is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, as well as an increased evaluation for PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a DSM-5 diagnosis for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist. The AOJ is instructed to develop employment history information, earnings information, and review non-VA mental health treatment records.