Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU. The Board has identified several records that are not in the claims file, including SSA records and VA treatment records from VistA Imaging system. These records may be relevant to the instant appeals.

The Veteran's appeal of an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder has been dismissed due to her withdrawal request. Her secondary service connection claim for GERD remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received, warranting readjudication of the claims for service connection for anxiety and depression. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction and acquired psychiatric disability (including unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD) have been granted, along with special monthly compensation for the loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's claims for an initial schedular rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and MDD, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected genital herpes.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, is found to have begun during his military service and is related thereto. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining proper authorizations for private treatment records and providing a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's wrist disability. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ruptured eardrum, back disability, right knee disability, gout and/or pseudogout/CPPD, left foot disability, osteophytosis of the thumb/metacarpal surgery, wrist disability, eye/vision disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder in remission is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The VA treatment records from January 2023 need to be obtained and associated with the claim file.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at 50 percent, which the Board finds insufficient to warrant a higher rating. The lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with status post lumbar spondylolisthesis with surgical fusion of L5-S1 is also rated at 50 percent and similarly does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for scars of the right forehead, left lateral eye, and right upper lip. The acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of head injury, headaches, bilateral eye disability, and low back disorder are all denied.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, MDD, cocaine use disorder, and alcohol use disorder based on the Veteran's in-service personal assaults.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bilateral hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions. Additional development is needed, including obtaining addendum opinions from clinicians who have not previously examined the Veteran or provided an opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and migraines were denied. Service connection was granted for PTSD with a rating of 50 percent, effective February 21, 2019. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim was denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder has been denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his service and the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for service-connected PTSD and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is denied.,The Veteran was found to be unable to work due to his service-connected PTSD as of May 21, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, PTSD, and memory loss was denied. The effective date remains at the current date of December 9, 2021.