Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety disorder and depression. The VA needs to provide a new opinion addressing the Veteran's reports of in-service assault and his use of drugs and alcohol during service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder must be remanded due to outdated medical records and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder and TBI, as well as his initial rating for tension headaches, was denied. The appeal is remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from May 4, 2016, to July 24, 2017, is dismissed as moot because he was already receiving a 100% disability rating for PTSD. The SMC claim prior to July 25, 2017, is also dismissed due to the Veteran's other service-connected disabilities not meeting the required criteria.

The Veteran's Bipolar I Disorder was rated at 70 percent effective July 14, 2018. The initial rating for unspecified anxiety and depressive disorders prior to this date remains pending.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, due to military sexual trauma (MST), finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to MST during active duty. The Board also found significant factual evidence indicating other causes for her symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 70% for the period from September 21, 2017. A separate rating of 20% is granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, residuals of a ganglion scar, sarcoidosis, and headaches, precluded him from securing substantially gainful employment prior to October 11, 2016. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and secondary alcohol use disorder, has been reopened. The Board found new and material evidence to support the claim and granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. Service connection was denied for a sinus disability.

The Veteran's diagnosed other trauma- and stressor-related disorder and depression are due to his active naval service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities (BLE) and (BUE). The claim for left ear hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,New and material evidence has been presented to reopen claims for psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression; asthma. These claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, TBI, headaches, right knee disorder, right shoulder condition, and neck pain are denied as they have already been addressed in his grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU prior to April 21, 2015, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following any substantial gainful employment.,The Veteran's SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance is denied as he does not require the regular aid of another person.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 70 percent effective January 8, 2018. The appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions have rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance, with the Board finding that this is due to her disabilities rather than solely to her PTSD.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back condition, and a right knee condition need further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and a TDIU due to PTSD. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records, complete VA Form 21-8940, and undergo a VA examination.