Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 5, 2012 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran was found to be precluded from gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities starting from that date.

Service connection for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder is granted. Service connection for lower back condition and OSA are denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's vertigo, service-connected PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and migraines.

The Veteran's UDD is currently rated at 30 percent disabling, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his psychiatric signs and symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied, while his claim for major depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various hip and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for her mental health condition, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The case is now pending for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Parkinson's disease and tremors, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was granted a rating in excess of 70 percent. Service connection for hypertension, right leg burn scar, and GERD were also granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are superimposed on an existing personality disorder that began during active duty.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, the minimum rating required for a higher disability rating. The Board found that her symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with anxiety, depression, forgetfulness, and insomnia due to a lack of current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder under DSM-5 criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, right hip disability, and migraine headaches due to secondary service-connected disabilities.,Specifically, the Veteran's claim for eating disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of an eating disorder.

An effective date of October 1, 2015 for a 70% disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder with anxious distress and agoraphobia is granted. The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and for an eye disability due to potential errors in obtaining relevant medical records.,Specifically, the Veteran's VA treatment records do not indicate that audiometric testing was performed, which is necessary to determine if a hearing loss disability exists. Additionally, no opinion regarding the relationship between any current eye disability and service participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) has been provided.

The Veteran's psychological disorder, characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, is rated at 70 percent effective October 25, 2012. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a digestive disability, finding no evidence to support the Veteran's claims. The issue of readjudication of COPD and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service or secondary to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including depression, unspecified depressive disorder, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, is granted as service connected due to its onset during his military service.