Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety disorder should be remanded due to a lack of competent medical evidence to adjudicate the claim, despite meeting the low evidentiary standard in McLendon v. Nicholson.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for additional development due to receipt of relevant service department records. The Veteran's claims are related to his scar and psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and MDD, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of September 1, 2019.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as presumptive under the PACT Act, and his erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected prostate cancer.,Major depressive disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's MDD with generalized anxiety as a residual of his hypothyroidism is granted effective January 8, 2021.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity essential tremors are secondary to and a residual of his service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for schizoaffective disorder with unspecified depressive disorder was denied in September 2017, but reopened. The Board is denying an earlier effective date for the award of service connection based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the September 2017 rating decision.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 22, 2020, for the assignment of a 70 percent disability rating for service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic, with major depressive disorder, severe without psychotic features, with alcohol use disorder, severe. The decision is based on the Veteran's symptoms and their impact on his ability to work and maintain relationships.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) but denied service connection for bilateral foot pain with bunions, fungus, and corns. The MDD is believed to have started during active duty training. Bilateral foot pain is not considered related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and psychosis, is granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective August 19, 2022, along with an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression, immature personality, and transient situational is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The current rating decision does not address this issue directly.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder are granted as service-connected. The case is remanded for additional development regarding hypertension, including obtaining private records and a nexus opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for sleep apnea and whether obesity caused by service-connected disabilities is a substantial factor in the development of sleep apnea.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder without psychotic features is rated at 70% since the initial decision, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected balance impairment, erectile dysfunction, constipation and depression have been granted effective September 30, 2019.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for balance impairment is denied.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to 'bad drugs' received from VA treatment is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his acquired psychiatric disorders were caused by VA care.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, left shoulder disability, and persistent depressive disorder with major depressive disorder due to duty-to-assist errors. The claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression, immature personality, transient situational (claimed as manic depressive/bipolar disorder and anxiety) has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, as well as substance abuse disorders. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service stressors and continued symptoms post-service.