Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder, and service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and muscle pain have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of these claims.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, effective February 10, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms are consistent with a 30 percent rating for hiatal hernia under Diagnostic Code 7346. Prior to July 21, 2022, his TDIU claim was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for erectile dysfunction is being remanded because the AOJ failed to consider all pertinent symptomatology, including depressive and anxiety-based symptoms, in determining whether there was a nexus between his current disability and military service. For the psychiatric disorder claim, the Board found that the AOJ committed duty-to-assist errors by primarily focusing on PTSD at the expense of other diagnoses.

The Veteran's effective dates for various disability evaluations have been granted as of September 23, 2019. The claims were based on new evidence that reopened the service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, but the criteria for TDIU have not been met prior to October 2, 2018. The case is remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The claims for effective dates and SMC are not addressed as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, and a headache disorder as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for his major depressive disorder with anxious distress with psychotic features, effective July 16, 2020.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was also granted.

The Veteran's 70% disability rating for panic disorder to include generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder was reduced to 30%. The Board restored the 70% rating as it found that improvement had not been maintained under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder, combined with his left hand ring finger contracture, renders him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for insomnia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and depression disorders), and PTSD due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's service records and treatment records received after July 2022 need to be considered.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral eye condition, depression, right knee degenerative arthritis, high blood pressure (hypertension), left hip arthritis (status post hip replacement), and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and other conditions caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his OSA.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent from April 25, 2014. An earlier effective date of April 25, 2014 for the TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence to adjudicate the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms have been variously assessed as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and PTSD. There is a history of in-service stressors that may be associated with his current psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA examination should be scheduled to address the nature and etiology of any current psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant and his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back epidermal inclusion cyst, allergic rhinitis, and psychiatric disability (depression, stress, anxiety, and homicidal ideation) have been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has denied the readjudication of service connection claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and depression as there is no new and relevant evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder and epilepsy, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.