Depression decisions — 2024

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder and granted a 10 percent disability rating from December 11, 2013, to June 22, 2014.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims of entitlement to service connection for depression and PTSD. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to his military service, but further examination and documentation are needed before a final decision can be made.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, mood disorder, and PTSD, is the result of his active service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for somatic symptom disorder and an increased rating for panic disorder have been withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative. As a result, these appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder and sleep disturbances was granted, effective July 21, 2021. The AOJ recognized the date of claim as November 8, 2020, based on receipt of his Supplemental Claim.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, coronary artery disease secondary to psychiatric disability, chronic right ankle pain, chronic left ankle pain, and chronic right knee pain as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that he developed these conditions during active duty. However, the Board found insufficient medical evidence to support this claim.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 3, 2010, for the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD with depression and anxiety, finding no evidence of a prior claim or entitlement to service connection before October 13, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder and unspecified depression is being remanded due to the failure to obtain all of his VA treatment records from the San Juan Vet Center.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available. The Board also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for depressive disorder and right shoulder disability were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's MDD with GAD symptoms most closely approximate total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent evaluation. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot as the Veteran now receives a 100 percent evaluation for their service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment required for a 100% rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and initial ratings for left knee conditions, as well as the TDIU claim. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are rated at 70 percent prior to September 16, 2019, with a TDIU granted for the same period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records from TBI C.E. related to his acquired psychiatric disability, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder with depression, and cognitive disorder not otherwise specified.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and/or depressive disorder, is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of the June 2022 rating decision on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression as there is no current diagnosis of depression in accordance with DSM-5, and the evidence does not support a separate diagnosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was untimely and dismissed the appeal.