Depression decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea as there is no evidence of these conditions during active duty.

The Veteran is seeking a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular and aid and attendance for cerebral dysfunction with dementia, major neurocognitive disorder and major depressive disorder due to traumatic brain injury with chronic fatigue, fainting, and dizziness at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t). The AOJ must adjudicate this claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on loss of use due to service-connected conditions, as there was no evidence of loss of use or anatomical loss of breast tissue. The Veteran's service-connected COPD and depressive disorder did not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety and depression because there is no current diagnosis of a service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist, including conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition and inadequate medical opinion for service connection of bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits expired on January 31, 2024. The Board granted an extension of the delimiting date beyond March 18, 2020, due to his mental health condition preventing him from initiating or completing a program of education.

The Board has determined that the effective date for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse should be prior to June 20, 2020. The claim is being remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant medical records from the Veteran's spouse.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent, as his symptoms were found to be within the range that warranted a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder during service. The Veteran was diagnosed with PTSD and major depressive disorder, but the VA examiner found that there is not enough evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for persistent depressive disorder with mixed features, late onset, with pure dysthymic syndrome is being remanded due to the need to obtain private medical records related to his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's gastric ulcer with erosive gastroduodenitis is granted an initial 20 percent rating.,Other service connection claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for bronchial asthma, left shoulder pain, degenerative arthritis of the spine (cervical spine degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease), and major depressive disorder due to a procedural defect in filing the Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for athlete's foot and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of increased ratings for neck strain and depression with chronic sleep impairment.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as the November 2020 AOJ letter was not an appealable decision.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent from April 19, 2021. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they were not severe enough to result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, finding that the Veteran's PTSD is secondary to a personal assault during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, bilateral chronic conjunctivitis and dry eye syndrome, right knee strain, and bilateral pes planus. The remaining claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on four conditions (hearing loss, hypertension, other specified depressive disorder with substance use disorder, and PTSD due to military sexual trauma) has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The appeal for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is remanded.