Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for an examination to determine if he has any current psychiatric disorders and, if so, whether they are related to his service.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits claim is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the impact of his additional and increased service-connected disabilities on his employment capabilities. The case will be readjudicated after a new evaluation with a VRC.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress. The non-initial rating claim for a higher rating remains under consideration.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected mental disability and for Special Monthly Compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been denied. The Veteran's condition is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 12, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas or total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to address the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive, anxiety disorder, and PTSD have resulted in an overall disability picture that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since November 10, 2014. An effective date of October 3, 2019, for the award of a 70 percent rating is granted.

The proposed reduction of the disability rating for psychiatric disability, from 70 percent to 30 percent, is dismissed. The reduction of the disability rating for psychiatric disability, from 70 percent to 30 percent, effective December 1, 2020, was not proper and the 70 percent rating is restored.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of TDIU due to a lack of evidence showing total occupational impairment prior to March 19, 2013. The Veteran reported periods of employment and education during this time.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, requiring an addendum opinion from a VA psychologist regarding whether the Veteran's psychiatric disorders pre-existed service and were not aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will consider new evidence in determining if service connection for PTSD can be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depression, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary service connection. The Veteran's STRs did not show any mental health issues during service and his current symptoms are not linked to his in-service stressor of influenza.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his service-connected depressive disorder, as well as a need for additional VHA records.

The Veteran's remains were transported to the VA Medical Center for an autopsy due to his medical history and consent was provided by his spouse. The Board found that reimbursement for transportation costs is warranted based on applicable regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted effective January 12, 2018. The effective date was determined based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU, and his psychiatric condition alone does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's PTSD with comorbid unspecified depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and TBI is rated at a 70 percent disability rating from June 19, 2018 to September 3, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for her bipolar disorder and tinnitus evaluations have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.