Depression decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a compensable condition and that any symptoms are attributed to a personality disorder.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for coronary artery disease prior to July 7, 2020 is granted with a 100% evaluation.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for coronary artery disease beginning July 7, 2020 is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders (specifically depression and anxiety) are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, sleep condition, and adjustment disorder with anxiety, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's right knee disability is also remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for panic disorder and major depressive disorder was denied as the evidence did not show that his disability had increased to the level warranting such a rating before August 6, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations for bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorders, including MDD with anxiety. The examinations were related to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the character of the Appellant's discharge from service for the period from June 5, 2012, to June 13, 2014, does not constitute a bar to VA benefits. However, further development is needed due to incomplete medical opinions and missed examinations.

The Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his active service. The Board has granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted service connection, while other claims for various disabilities were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder have been rated at 100% since August 31, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation from October 20, 2009, to December 31, 2011, and from January 1, 2013, to October 1, 2019. The Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in finding that his service-connected disabilities alone resulted in unemployability during these periods.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety, depression, right shoulder disability, and right wrist disability are remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Board finds insufficient competent medical evidence to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorders and right shoulder and right wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,Service connection for depression is denied because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to the claimed disability.,The Veteran's claims for right hand and left knee disabilities are denied due to lack of diagnosed conditions.,Left hip disability claim is also denied as there is no current diagnosis.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for spina bifida, thus the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD was manifested by total occupational and social impairment from March 30, 2012 to October 8, 2012. The Veteran is granted a disability evaluation of 100 percent for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions and an unobtained VA audiology report. The Veteran's mental health conditions are being reviewed, and a new attempt will be made to obtain his hearing loss records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a sleep disorder is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his claims prior to the promulgation of a decision. The Board also remanded several other issues including service connection for bilateral foot disability, chronic fatigue, major depressive disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee strain with history of Baker's cyst and effusion, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU), and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need of regular aid and attendance of another.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment effective April 22, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and insomnia secondary to psoriasis, effective from March 29, 2010. The Veteran's symptoms of stress were found to be related to his service-connected psoriasis.

The Board's January 4, 2024 decision did not address the Veteran's claim for a TDIU from June 9, 2017 through January 21, 2021. The case is now remanded to consider this issue.