Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for left and right hip disabilities, as well as left and right knee disabilities. A rating of 70 percent was granted for major depressive disorder from June 1, 2019 to May 13, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and a mood disorder not otherwise specified, has been reopened. The Board also remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed in-service stressors and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for updated examinations to assess his current psychiatric condition.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to November 26, 2018. The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), migraines secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea secondary to migraine disorder. The Veteran's hearing loss is not rated higher than 0%.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected chronic pain conditions. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than MDD, bilateral metatarsalgia, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, mechanical low back pain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder including sleep disturbances secondary to the Veteran's service-connected kidney cancer, finding that his depression was proximately due to his kidney disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated medical opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA records. The issues include service connection for Crohn's disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely depression), a right knee disorder, a left knee disorder, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are granted on a secondary basis, while tinnitus is granted. High cholesterol, left leg disability (apart from service-connected left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy), right leg disability (apart from service-connected right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy), coronary artery disease (CAD), erectile dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, and thyroid disability are all denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, is related to service and the claim for this condition is granted. The issue of diabetes mellitus secondary to the service-connected psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's headache condition, hypertension, and GERD are each remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's service connection claims for a headache condition, hypertension, and GERD are remanded due to the inextricability of these issues with his acquired psychiatric disorder claim.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is remanded for an examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue, TBI, and PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to September 26, 2017 were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions or their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, potentially related to military service. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded other claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing adequate opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease from May 15, 2018 was denied. The Board also granted TDIU on a schedular basis since December 22, 2021, but remanded the issue of TDIU to include on an extraschedular basis prior to December 22, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, specifically depressive disorder and opioid use disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and whether his acquired psychiatric disorder preexisted service. Additional development is needed, including a supplemental medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for updated VA and private medical records related to the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted for purposes of accrued benefits, and he is also granted a TDIU rating.