Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's kidney disease is caused by his service-connected hypertension, and he has a current diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors. The claims for these conditions are granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD has been denied. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, as well as the TDIU claim, have been remanded.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for swelling of the feet is dismissed.,Claims of service connection for depression, removal of ovaries, tuberculosis, fibromyalgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sinusitis, left leg disability, and right leg disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TDIU. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's symptoms were related to a non-service incident involving police arrest.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and any mental health condition, finding no evidence linking his current disability to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and insomnia has been rated at 70 percent since January 29, 2017. The Board denied a higher rating for the condition prior to July 21, 2022.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for epilepsy, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder), headaches, high blood pressure, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The issues of service connection have been addressed on their merits.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased PTSD and TDIU ratings due to incomplete records from the Charleston Vet Center. The Veteran's treatment history needs to be fully documented.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, claimed as major depressive disorder. The Veteran had symptoms of depression in and since service, which he attributed to his inability to attend funerals for his father and grandfather during military service.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from September 8, 2020. The Board has denied increased ratings for PTSD prior to that date and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. Service connection was granted for BHL, Back Disability, and OSA. GERD service connection remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depressive disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, adjustment disorder, and/or paranoid schizophrenia.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and residuals of right middle cerebral artery CVA have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 14, 2010. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination results.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional verification of his periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training with the New York Army National Guard and the Army Reserve.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is rated at 100 percent effective October 12, 2017.,As the Veteran has a combined rating of 100% for her service-connected conditions and is in receipt of a 100% rating for her generalized anxiety disorder, entitlement to TDIU is moot.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for unspecified depressive and alcohol use disorder and unspecified personality disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and persistent depressive disorder due to a failure to attempt to corroborate the Veteran's reported stressor during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The claims will be reviewed again, with a focus on verifying the in-service stressor and providing a VA examination to determine the relationship between the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders and his military service.