Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, was incurred during his period of active service. Service connection is granted for this condition prior to February 24, 2023.

The Veteran's mental disorder, including unspecified insomnia and depressive disorders, is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 or 100 percent disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and requests an additional VA examination to assess the extent of functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder is granted, and the rating assigned is 50 percent effective July 1, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for an earlier effective date for individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, including major depressive disorder with psychosis, finding that there was no persuasive evidence linking his current symptoms to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by alcoholic liver disease, which developed due to his long-standing alcohol use and psychiatric disability. The Board found that service-connected disability contributed to the cause of death.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the claims file since the last Statement of the Case and remands are required for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and concerns about the adequacy of previous opinions. The issues include hypertension, back disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities, bilateral pes planus, right great toe disability, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer residuals and depressive disorder, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment as of January 1, 2018. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol use disorder, anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and other specified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (alcohol use disorder) while others were denied (anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and other specified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to service, and remanded for further examination and opinion regarding other issues. The remaining claims are also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression and anxiety. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that his current diagnoses are related to in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder qualifies him for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions caused or aggravated his stroke with acute respiratory failure, which led to his death.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded the remaining issues on appeal, including a TDIU determination.