Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for headaches was denied. The claims for service connection for depression with sleep disorder, dizziness, right lower extremity shin splint, and PTSD were all granted.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims as his death occurred during the pendency of these appeals.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they were consistent with a 70% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for alcohol use disorder, a temporary total evaluation based on hospital treatment in excess of 21 days, and TDIU due to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities. These issues are intertwined and require further development.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious stress disability is not manifested by total social impairment, and the Board finds that a rating in excess of 70 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with MDD was granted in August 2022, and the effective date is set at June 2, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and bilateral knee conditions, have rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance after considering all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD have been granted. The ratings for his back and right elbow disabilities have also been restored. However, the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, PTSD, asthma, left knee disability, and impairment of supination and pronation of the right elbow remain pending and need further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety condition, depression, insomnia, sleep disturbances (acquired psychiatric disorder), chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral elbow condition, ED, bilateral foot condition, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine headaches. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychological condition, including anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, as these conditions are found to have been incurred in service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and anxiety as his Notice of Disagreement did not adhere to the relevant claims processing rules.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding a higher rating.,Service connection for neck arthritis and depression as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was rated at 70 percent effective August 5, 2020. The effective date for the TDIU rating is also set to this date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including insomnia and depressive disorders, is now rated at 50% effective October 14, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression was fully granted in a July 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder and unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder, is now rated at 100% effective June 14, 2021. The left lower extremity radiculopathy has also been granted an earlier effective date of September 15, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression is granted. The left ankle disability claim is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by the service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded several service connection and rating issues due to the submission of additional evidence not previously considered by the AOJ.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD) and a 30 percent rating for gastritis, effective throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, including multiple sclerosis, a recurrent skin disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being returned for additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and active service.