Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's depression and anxiety are granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus. The claim for headaches is remanded due to insufficient examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the following reasons: obtaining outstanding treatment records, updating VA treatment records, and obtaining medical addendum opinions for migraine headaches and residuals of a right arm mid shaft ulna fracture.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions during or contemporary to the appeal period.

The Veteran's depressive disorder prior to June 2, 2022 did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied, and the effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were granted on October 18, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD and left wrist disability were denied as the earliest date of claim is not earlier than the dates of the respective decisions.,The Veteran filed her initial claims in December 2005 and June 7, 2002 respectively. The April 2019 and March 2017 rating decisions became final due to lack of appeal or new and material evidence within one year.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding service treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms and overall impairment.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed due to duty-to-assist errors, and the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to have regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for depression is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current depression diagnosis is related to an event during service, specifically the injury to his eyes.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease. His rating for lumbosacral strain and DDD remains at 20 percent, but the TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the effective date of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol abuse disorder with obesity as an intermediate step caused his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board has granted service connection for OSA on a secondary basis to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and duty-to-assist errors, specifically regarding the Veteran's claimed bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU from February 12, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and MDD require regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, undress himself, or attend to the wants of nature. The Board finds that he needs supervision to prevent self-harm either intentionally or unintentionally.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and insomnia, is the result of her active service. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and requires the AOJ to complete development regarding whether sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder.