Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including major depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder with secondary alcohol use disorder, are found to have its onset in service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his dyslipidemia and other disabilities are denied. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that a new VA mental disorders examination is necessary due to the inadequacy of previous examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder may be related to childhood trauma, but not service-connected. The left shoulder disability and TDIU issues are also remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for chloracne and an earlier effective date, finding no clear and unmistakable error in their decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and sleep apnea. The appeals are remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 100 percent effective February 20, 2021. Prior to that date, the rating was 70 percent.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, nightmare disorder, anxiety, and insomnia/sleep disturbance, is granted as related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered her unemployable on an extraschedular basis since February 2, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and an acquired psychiatric condition on a direct basis due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive disorder and TBI, finding that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Board acknowledges potential medication side effects but finds they are not fully relevant to the current TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, combined with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since June 2, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on his service-connected disabilities, which include tinnitus and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a left ankle disability is denied.,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea claims are reopened, but denied on the merits.,The Veteran's eye disability (bilateral) claim is reopened, but denied on the merits.,The Veteran's lung disability (bronchitis), colon disability (ulcerative colitis), erectile dysfunction and/or vasectomy, kidney stones, and hypertension claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new VA mental health treatment notes and a PTSD review examination report. The Veteran's appeal of her claim for a higher rating for PTSD and chronic depression is now pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further examination regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder. The appellant's hearing loss claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol induced anxiety disorder was granted. Separate ratings were also granted for the Veteran's right knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and alcohol dependence, is granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a finding that his current conditions are related to military service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the Appellant's character of discharge and service connection claims for various disabilities. The case will be returned to VA for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.