Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, to include depression and PTSD, was denied for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 12, 2018, but granted a 50 percent rating from that date. The appeal is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, is related to his military service. The case will be further developed for a new opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The Board found that the evidence, including his statements and VA examination results, raised a reasonable possibility of establishing a current disability. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, migraines, PTSD, and TBI-related conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the appeal period from May 14, 2018, to September 7, 2021, and from September 18, 2021, to September 7, 2022. Effective September 7, 2021, he is in receipt of a 100% combined schedular disability rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected major depressive disorder. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability with TBI is granted a 100 percent evaluation, and the migraine headaches associated with this condition are granted a 50 percent evaluation. The separate compensable evaluation for the service-connected TBI is denied.

The Veteran's left foot disability and psychiatric disorders (PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder) were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability, Persistent Depressive Disorder with Other Specified Anxiety Disorder, is now rated at 100% effective January 22, 2023. Prior to that date, the rating was 70%. The decision also denied an initial rating in excess of 70% prior to January 22, 2023.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated employment and income information, completing VA Forms 21-4192 with his employers, and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hip disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD with persistent depressive disorder), and diabetes mellitus are all granted. The claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for histoplasmosis, PTSD and depressive disorder are dismissed.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric condition. Service connection is denied for the lumbar spine disorder and pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, low back disorder, depression, knee disorders, foot disorders, and ankle disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran opted into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) by submitting a VA Form 10182 within 60 days of receiving a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has granted service connection for head trauma, hydrocephalus as secondary to in-service head trauma, headaches as secondary to in-service head trauma, tremors as secondary to in-service head trauma, and depression as secondary to in-service head trauma.

This decision dismisses the Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae. The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches are granted service connection, but his left ear hearing loss, depressive disorder with anxiety, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and scar on the head remain remanded for further development.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. Headaches are also granted as related to an in-service fall.

The Veteran's service-connected depression and anxiety disorder are granted, with a rating of 70 percent effective April 3, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms most closely approximated those required for a 70 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, which is related to military sexual trauma (MST) experienced during basic training in 1974.

The Veteran's MDD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board denied an initial rating greater than 50 percent and service connection for a sleep disorder (UARS).

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence of muscle pain, joint pain, or respiratory disorder due to service. Fatigue is also not connected to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and left hand injuries, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The psychiatric claims are remanded due to outstanding treatment records and the need for a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.