Depression decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C, liver fibrosis and scarring, and depression and sleep problems as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions. The Board also noted that private treatment records established that the Veteran developed depression following a non-service-connected neck injury.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to January 1, 2015.

The Board granted an effective date of September 12, 2008 for the award of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) at the 'L' rate based on loss of use of one hand and one foot. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding an earlier effective date for PTSD, a higher rating for PTSD, and service connection for various disabilities. The Board dismissed these issues as the Veteran had withdrawn them.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. He is currently receiving a combined rating of at least 80 percent due to his service-connected disabilities, meeting the schedular requirement for TDIU. However, he failed to complete VA Forms 21-8940 (Veterans Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability), which prevented proper adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a psychiatric examination.

The Board has remanded the cases of depression, PTSD, and to reopen service connection for an anxiety disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and secondary service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that there was no logical nexus between his current diagnosis and his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he has not been unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the increased level due to his need for regular aid and attendance as a result of service-connected TBI residuals, which would require hospitalization or institutional care if not provided by his wife.

Effective dates are being remanded for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased ratings for his hip disabilities, as well as for a depressive disorder. The AOJ is instructed to consider additional service department records from 1987 in determining whether an earlier effective date is warranted.,An earlier effective date is also being considered for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and obturator nerve neuralgia claims.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that her symptoms are related to both conditions.

The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder is found to be related to military sexual trauma (MST) and service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. The appeals are all granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and an initial rating higher than 30 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including providing information about the qualifications of the VA psychiatrist who conducted the examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI, along with other service-connected conditions, are now rated at 100% effective August 29, 2018. A 50% rating is granted for tension headaches effective from the same date. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted starting from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and seborrheic dermatitis with psychogenic excoriation due to inadequate consideration of his lay statements and medical evidence in previous VA opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD, is related to active service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.