Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression and retinal scars are being reviewed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain, and left foot drop have been withdrawn by the Veteran through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's death is being remanded for a determination on the cause of death claim, and dependency and indemnity compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied due to lack of total disability rating.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities. The appellant is denied DIC benefits, survivors pension benefits, and accrued benefits.

The Veteran's IBS is related to her service-connected PTSD with panic attacks and MDD with anxious distress, but the VA examiner did not provide a sufficient opinion regarding this relationship. The Board finds that the VA examination was inadequate and remands for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's depression claim, including a lack of a current diagnosis and inadequate examination.

The Board has denied a higher rating for PTSD and has remanded the claim of TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of major depressive disorder was denied, and the claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted with a 100% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 17, 2021, for the grant of service connection for a separate rating for Parkinson's Disease with depression, cognitive/dementia, and sleep disturbances under Diagnostic Code 9434 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date of September 5, 2011, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for constipation was granted.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 were denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he was employed full-time prior to September 2, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is secondary to his service-connected bilateral tinnitus, depression, migraines, and bilateral shin splints. The claim for service connection for OSA is granted.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and requires additional medical opinions regarding the service connection for OSA, specifically addressing whether MDD aggravated OSA.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and unspecified depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss or a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and unspecified depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss or a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ear hearing loss and unspecified depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss or a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder, is at least as likely as not related to his traumatic experiences in the Navy. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD was granted with an effective date prior to June 15, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for unspecified depressive disorder, OSA, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are currently rated at 70 percent, 50 percent, and 30 percent respectively.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and MDD, so the appeals are dismissed as there is no longer a question to be decided.