Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's migraines, which are secondary to her service-connected PTSD and/or tinnitus, have been granted. Her insomnia is considered a symptom of her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted as service connected. The Board also found that the Veteran's sleep apnea (OSA), headache condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, right shoulder condition, and lumbar spine condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded all claims due to errors in the July 2021 decision, including inadequate opinions and reliance on negative evidence from the Veteran's enlistment report of medical history. The Court found that further development is needed for these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depression is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran was granted service connection for other conditions such as Chiari malfunction with cervical syrinx, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), left wrist disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), and bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome and AC joint DJD. The Veteran's respiratory disorder remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety/depression, has been denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such conditions.,The Veteran's prostate cancer with residuals voiding dysfunction and scar is currently rated at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, IBS, and hypertension due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examination. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and low back disability are granted service connection, while the Veteran is awarded a 50% rating for his migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sinus disability, sinus headaches, and depression due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. The VA treatment records from February 2019 to July 2021 have been added to the record, but automatic waiver does not apply to these records.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was dismissed because the Veteran did not file a notice of disagreement with the November 2023 rating decision. The Board also remanded the issue of a higher rating for her back condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for further medical opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to lack of response from the Veteran and need for clarification on in-service incidents related to his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.

The Veteran's intestinal disability and unspecified depressive disorder are service-connected.,Further development is needed for the claims of chronic fatigue and chronic joint pain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, has been denied. The case is also remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran had not raised any other issues, nor have any other issues been reasonably raised by the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, asthma, bronchitis, COPD, tinnitus, GERD/IBS, and hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the period on appeal. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse disorder is granted a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of an October 2020 VA examination. Other issues remain in controversy.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's right knee disability and skin condition are denied as there is no current diagnosis or history of these conditions.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, depression, joint disease of the left knee, and obstructive lung disease remains denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and depression, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective August 21, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating greater than 70 percent for his persistent depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.