Depression decisions — 2024

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, to include PTSD, prior to November 3, 2017. The evidence showed that symptoms such as depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, and mild memory loss were present but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence on whether the Veteran's major depressive disorder contributed substantially or materially to his death. The claim is pending further review.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with anxiety and disturbance of conduct is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased rating for a service-connected left hip disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further rating decisions on his claims of entitlement to compensable ratings for causalgia of the left and right feet.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and development of the Veteran's dementia disability in accordance with Clemons. The claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU are all related and must be addressed together.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since September 22, 2011. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded.,Service connection for colitis is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his symptoms and medical history.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further clarification regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including her claims of a personal assault during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain missing service treatment records and VA treatment records, as well as to schedule the Veteran for a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 13, 2022. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed again with a focus on potential MST and other related conditions.

The Board has granted a 70% rating for the Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, effective December 1, 2017. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, adjustment and depressive disorders, is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his condition. The examiner must consider the Veteran's in-service stressor and post-service symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his obesity, which may have caused or aggravated his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and hypertension prior to March 6, 2012 are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 6, 2012, for service connection for a psychiatric disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied because he failed to appear without good cause for the necessary VA examination.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus are granted as due to herbicide exposure during service.,Service connection for thrombocytopenia is denied, while depression secondary to ischemic heart disease is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, to include depression and anxiety, has been granted. The remaining claims related to his knees have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to deficiencies in the previous medical opinions, particularly regarding whether any current psychiatric disorder is related to service.