Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection for major depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, and pelvic pain is restored. The rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various service-connected conditions, except CFS, BPPV, and GERD, were denied. The effective dates for the awards of service connection are not earlier than January 26, 2016.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is restored to a 100 percent rating effective July 1, 2022. The claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is moot as the Veteran has no other service-connected disabilities rated at least 40% combined with the major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for SSD with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder was granted effective January 13, 2020. However, the Board denied an earlier effective date prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder was denied in July 2020, and the effective date of his award has been fixed at July 26, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Mental Disorders. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it did not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's depression is rated at 50 percent from April 27, 2021. The rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for the service-connected psychiatric disability from June 30, 2015, is denied. The appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 30, 2015, is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 100% disability rating for service-connected unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with MDD and alcohol use disorder was denied. The Board found that the increase in her disability had not occurred before November 23, 2021.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been rated at 100% effective April 13, 2010. He also received a 30% rating for allergic rhinitis effective March 29, 2019, SMC at the housebound rate effective April 13, 2010, and TDIU effective April 13, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the initial evaluation of cicatricial pemphigoid of the gums and an increased evaluation for PTSD with major depressive disorder. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and anxiety condition related to non-PTSD personal trauma, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the March 2015 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired mental disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's claims were based on his reported military experiences but no specific diagnoses or supporting evidence was provided in the decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder, depression, and chest pain as there is no persuasive medical evidence of current disabilities related to these conditions.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU need to be remanded due to inadequate development of evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's initial claim for tension headaches was denied, and the AOJ assigned a non-compensable rating. The Board is remanding this issue.,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was initially rated at 10%, but evidence suggests it may be more severe. The AOJ should schedule an updated examination to assess severity before assigning any new rating.,The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain was initially rated at 10%. The AOJ should schedule another examination to correct the pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding functional loss and pain assessment.,The Veteran's supraventricular arrhythmia (sinus bradycardia) was initially rated as asymptomatic. The AOJ should schedule a heart examination to clarify whether exercise-based METs testing is medically contraindicated or available for accurate assessment of the disability.,The Veteran's pectus excavatum, status post chest wall reconstruction, was initially assigned a non-compensable rating due to its asymptomatic nature and pre-service percentage being zero. The AOJ should schedule another examination to correct any duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder is denied. The effective date remains October 24, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been dismissed as the Veteran did not timely file a VA Form 10182.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for psychotic disorder and major depression with psychotic features has also been dismissed due to untimely filing of the notice of disagreement.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for OSA as secondary to PTSD and MDD are inadequate. The matter is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, depression, and anxiety due to a lack of medical evidence linking his current psychiatric conditions to in-service stressors.