Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including knee, foot, hip, shoulder, and psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development as requested.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee condition, depression, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD due to deficiencies in medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed stressors and diagnoses. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to unavailability of service treatment records from all periods of active service, including her National Guard and Army service. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for PTSD and major depression/depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was received in May 2017, allowing for further appellate review on the merits. The appeal is granted as to the issue of service connection for PTSD with depression.

The Veteran's major depression with generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment in most areas.

The Veteran's anxiety, depression, and PTSD are related to service. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her generalized anxiety and depressive disorders, as well as her right hamstring residuals, are being remanded due to the need for new examinations. Her TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is granted, as it was factually ascertainable within one year of the receipt of his claim that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and addressing the Veteran's reported stressors during service.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression; a back disorder; a neck disorder; and a left knee disorder. The claims are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need to contact witnesses of the alleged in-service assault.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and drug and alcohol abuse due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear medical opinions regarding the Veteran's mental health disabilities and their relationship to her hysterectomy. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are rated at 70 percent, effective August 8, 2008. Effective the same date, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder was denied by the Board, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas. The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to June 15, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for Thoracic Spine Arthritis and Unspecified Depressive Disorder have also been denied due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy is also granted.

The Veteran's request for service connection for OSA was granted, and he is now rated at 20% for his right shoulder degenerative arthritis. The TDIU rating remains in effect. The case of chronic pancreatitis has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is being evaluated again by a clinician to determine its onset during service or etiology.