Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to military sexual trauma (MST) incurred during active duty. The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Alcohol Use Disorder have been considered in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for major depressive disorder due to a lack of a VA examination, as there is evidence indicating a current disability and an in-service event or injury that may be associated with it. The Veteran reported experiencing racism during service which could potentially link his depression.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, PTSD, and major depression due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination. The AOJ is required to obtain missing private treatment records from Dr. J.B.R. and provide a new VA examination.

The Veteran's ambulance transport to Greenleaf Center for treatment of homicidal ideation was approved by VA and deemed necessary due to the severity of her condition. The Board found that all conditions for payment under 38 C.F.R. § 17.1002 were met, thus granting the claim.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 25, 2019 for various service connection and increased rating claims. The Veteran's original claim was filed through his local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) on January 25, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions, particularly those related to toxic exposures in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided that service connection for PTSD is denied, and the claims of service connection for back impairment, left wrist impairment, right wrist impairment, and sleep impairment other than major depressive disorder with insomnia disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to errors in the initial decision-making process, including failing to request a VA Form 21-8940 for TDIU and not obtaining SSA income records. The employment status of the Veteran is also relevant to his disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder due to infertility and colon cancer with major depressive-like episode associated with infertility, effective from August 26, 2014. The Veteran's claim was filed on that date, and the effective date is based on her prior service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to determine if any of her conditions are associated with active duty or inactive duty training.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder from March 17, 2019 to July 10, 2019 was granted. The Board has determined that a 70% rating is warranted during this period. However, the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating after July 10, 2019 and his claims for service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is service connected. The issue of her Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 14, 2012, for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder is granted. The claims for a higher evaluation for depressive disorder and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board granted an effective date of July 28, 2015, for the award of service connection for PTSD and denied claims for earlier effective dates for PFB and other issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and moderate substance abuse disorder in full sustained remission was denied as there is no evidence to support a finding that the criteria for establishing service connection had been met prior to October 5, 2015.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable. The VA has been remanded to obtain records from the Turning Point Rehab where the Veteran was hospitalized for a period exceeding 21 days due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's diagnosed major depressive disorder and other stressor/trauma related disorder are the result of in-service stressor events. The Veteran's claim for PTSD has not been sufficiently corroborated, so service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar due to insufficient evidence on file.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD.