Depression decisions — 2024

The appeal seeking service connection for dizziness is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and residuals of a low blood sugar disability due to insufficient evidence or inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied, and his eczema and unspecified insomnia and depressive disorder were granted with increased ratings. The effective dates for these decisions are May 17, 2018.

The Veteran's PTSD and lumbar spine disability are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings, with the exception of a separate noncompensable rating for moderate paralysis of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, now characterized as posttraumatic stress disorder, is rated at 70 percent from April 9, 2018. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability has been granted on a schedular basis since May 19, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as secondary to Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), finding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of OSA or its association with MDD.

The Board has found that the VA examination did not adequately comply with the June 2020 remand directives and requires an addendum medical opinion to address all psychiatric disabilities present during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 22, 2015, is also being referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement was August 9, 2017.,For depression, the Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent under Diagnostic Code 9434.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's current mental health conditions are related to his in-service stressors.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and other specified trauma related disorder, is granted as service connected. The claim for fibromyalgia remains pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for hernia, psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression), low back condition, head injury residuals, migraine headaches, left knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,An effective date earlier than January 10, 2017, is denied for tinnitus.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, back pain, sleep problems/sleep apnea, and left shoulder pain are all found to be related to his military service.

An initial disability rating of 50 percent for mixed headaches (prior to September 22, 2015) and thereafter is granted.,An increased disability rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder prior to October 19, 2022, and thereafter is granted. An increase in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depression is being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence. The Board finds that this evidence relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the underlying claims.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriatic arthritis of the cervical spine, bilateral hands, knees, wrists, feet, and ankles, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to service-connected psoriasis. The appeal for higher ratings for psoriasis was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to issues raised in a Joint Motion for Remand, and additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Traumatic Brain Injury, Headaches, and Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include Depression and PTSD) have been dismissed. Service connection for Polysubstance Abuse / Dependence (alcohol and cannabis), secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depression, has been granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for Major Depressive Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder was denied. For the period prior to March 19, 2021, the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 70 percent or higher. After March 19, 2021, the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 70 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, persistent depressive disorder with mild alcohol use disorder, and secondary service connection for chronic kidney disease.