Depression decisions — 2024

Your effective date for the 100 percent evaluation for major depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder has been changed to March 23, 2021. The appeal is dismissed as the earlier effective date provided a full grant of benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, right shoulder strain, and scar (disfigurement) have been denied. The claim for erectile dysfunction remains pending as the effective date is being remanded.,An effective date prior to April 24, 2020, was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder is productive of occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for morbid obesity, costochondritis, and GERD were denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was also denied.,Service connection was granted for generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and major depressive disorder (Anxiety Disorder).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected depression with cognitive impairment and sleep disturbances disability, as well as the nature and etiology of any PTSD condition or other mental health conditions. The case will be readjudicated after considering all evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder warrants a rating of 70 percent effective September 1, 2017. He is also granted entitlement to TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with neurocognitive disorder results in total occupational impairment, but not social impairment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating and SMC at the housebound rate effective October 19, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, psychiatric disorders, OSA, and bilateral hearing loss due to pre-existing duty as a field artillery turret mechanic. The Veteran's assertions of in-service noise exposure are considered.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a failure to obtain necessary service treatment records (STRs). The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as acne keloidalis nuchae, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress and traumatic brain injury has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since January 2022, qualifying for a TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran is in receipt of SMC at the housebound rate due to additional service-connected disabilities. The claim for bilateral pes planus remains pending as it involves duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and sleep disturbances, is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence that tends to prove or disprove a matter at issue in regard to such claim. The VA examiner's opinion was inadequate as it did not address all current diagnoses and symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional records from private providers, including a clarification on when Sertraline was first prescribed.

The Board has found that the evidence does not clearly and unmistakably indicate overlapping symptoms between the Veteran's service-connected TBI and depression, thus denying a revision of the September 2019 rating decision to eliminate separate ratings for these conditions. The earlier effective date claim is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hemiparesis of the right upper extremity and right lower extremity, unspecified depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy left lower extremity, tinnitus, and hypertension, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran had a current psychiatric disability during the appeal period. A new VA examination is required to clarify if any diagnosed psychiatric disorder is related to service or caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain, mild degenerative joint and disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress was denied, and the effective date of the grant of a 70 percent disability rating is November 25, 2019.,The Veteran also sought an earlier effective date for his increased disability rating. The Board found that no such earlier effective date could be assigned as there was no communication prior to November 25, 2019 that could be reasonably construed as a claim of entitlement to benefits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and its relationship to his service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death and potential secondary service connection for herbicide-related disorders. The Veteran's cause of death is being reviewed, along with any possible secondary effects from his nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD was denied. Prior to August 20, 2021, the rating remained at 50 percent. From August 20, 2021, a higher rating of 70 percent was granted but not effective until December 2021.