Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence for a TDIU and SMC determinations, specifically regarding the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as it is considered to be a symptom of their service-connected depression.,For the initial rating period from June 6, 2018 to March 25, 2019, the Veteran receives a disability rating of 50% for their psychiatric disorder (depression with anxiety).

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for heat stroke disability has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The claim of reopening the service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder and insomnia is granted, with a finding that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also grants service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are not supported by evidence of record.,The Veteran's service connection claims for vertigo, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability (lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and spondylosis with radiculopathy), diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, bilateral eye disability, tinnitus, hypertension, chronic memory loss disability, chronic headache disability, major depressive disorder, right foot disability, right knee disability, arthritis, left foot disability, left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claim is granted as her current psychiatric disorders are found to be related to in-service sexual assault.

Service connection for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD is granted.,Service connection for insomnia as secondary to service-connected acquired psychiatric disorders is granted.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder was granted in a September 2023 rating decision.,Service connection for hypertension has been established due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's skin condition and hepatitis C are both remanded for further development as the Board requires additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's service connection claims for a skin condition and hepatitis C remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors and the Veteran's unavailability for a VA examination. The case will be further evaluated with updated contact information, an alternative opinion using the ACE method, and another VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for esophageal acid reflux disorder (GERD) as secondary to service-connected left and right ankle arthritis, but the issues regarding obstructive sleep apnea and major depressive disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verifying in-service stressor events and obtaining a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's mental state at the time of his misconduct.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial increased rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and TDIU prior to February 3, 2020 due to additional evidence added after the April 2020 SOC. The AOJ must consider this new evidence in their readjudication.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected left upper extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, and acquired psychological conditions to include depression, anxiety, and PTSD due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection on a secondary basis. The claims are remanded to obtain updated medical opinions addressing both causation and aggravation of these conditions by toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a 70% rating, effective October 3, 2017.,A compensable rating for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU from July 17, 2013, to July 31, 2018, and a schedular TDIU on and after August 1, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression) and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder was rated at 50 percent from July 1, 2010, through September 1, 2011. The rating is denied as the evidence did not show an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships or total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his gastritis, somatic syndrome disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee internal derangement (flexion), left knee lateral instability, and tinnitus disabilities. The Veteran also needs clarification on the nature of his claimed balance disability.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to depressive disorder, left lower extremity neuropathy, PTSD, a left leg scar, a head scar, and anxiety disorder. The remand is due to the loss of hearing transcripts and failure to provide notice regarding SSA records.