Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for neck and right arm pain as secondary to left ulnar neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for depression was dismissed due to his death, as the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claim at this time.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Unspecified Depressive Disorder, is rated at 70 percent. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.

An initial rating of 50 percent for bipolar disorder with anxious distress (previously rated as major depressive disorder with anxiety and alcohol use disorder, in partial remission; claimed as depression) is granted from May 1, 2018, through August 8, 2018.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for migraines prior to August 6, 2019, is denied. A rating of 50 percent for migraines as of August 6, 2019, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, specifically the lack of an adequate VA examination addressing the combined effects of her service-connected disabilities on her employment potential.

The Veteran's claim for a separate 30 percent rating for residuals of hypothyroidism, including weight gain and fatigue, has been granted. A separate 10 percent rating for cold sensitivity due to hypothyroidism is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms, including difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances, obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities, impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence), and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The evidence overall does demonstrate the level of impairment associated with a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision regarding service connection for various conditions and requires additional medical opinions to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, finding that the onset of these conditions occurred during service.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 28, 2001 for the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and adjustment reaction with anxious mood. The Veteran's claim encompassed a secondary claim for this condition due to his prostate cancer.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions including thoracolumbar spine disorder, anxiety, depression, headaches, tinnitus, and an eye disorder due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are currently rated at 50 percent, but a higher 70 percent rating is granted effective January 23, 2014. The earlier effective date for TDIU prior to December 29, 2017 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spondylosis, and bilateral feet condition have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than major depressive disorder, including adjustment reaction, as there is no objective evidence of a separate psychiatric disability at this time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to various pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including inadequate medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD with alcohol use disorder in remission, is rated at 70 percent from February 25, 2020 to November 29, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating or TDIU prior to that date remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and various depressive disorders. The VA examiner is to review the medical records, consider the Veteran's contentions about in-service trauma, and provide a new opinion on whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for his service-connected major depressive disorder and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, right ankle disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.