Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, and requires an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for major depressive disorder and back problems have been dismissed as she requested withdrawal of her appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder improved to a degree where he could function better under ordinary conditions of life and work, warranting a reduction from 100% to 70%. The restoration of the 100% rating was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and MDD are not related to his active-duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is granted an initial 70 percent evaluation from May 27, 1968.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate rationale in a September 2022 VA examination and internal inconsistency in findings. A new VA medical examination is needed, along with obtaining relevant SSA records.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from December 24, 2016. Prior to that date, he was working and did not meet the criteria for TDIU as he was not unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 25, 2005 for the award of service connection for neuropsychiatric condition and depression. The claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's MDD and migraines have been granted initial ratings of 70 percent, effective from March 8, 2017. The decision also grants an effective date for a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) to March 8, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his employment handicap, and he was found employable with his current skills, experience, and education. The Board denied VR&E benefits as the Veteran does not meet the threshold requirement of having an employment handicap.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder has been dismissed as the Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,The effective date for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy will be set at May 18, 2021, as this was when objective evidence first indicated the condition.,Service connection for hypertension cannot be established as there is no in-service disease or injury linked to the condition and it did not manifest within one year of separation from service.,A rating in excess of 40 percent for gout prior to February 22, 2021, is denied. From that date onwards, a 40 percent disability rating is granted.,Service connection for depressive disorder cannot be established as there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury linked to the condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating of 100 percent for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support total occupational and social impairment prior to July 2, 2020. SMC based on aid and attendance was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for OSA on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back disability and depression, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2015. Effective from April 1, 2015, the Veteran is granted TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for short term memory loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) are remanded.

The Board has granted an extension of the delimiting date for the Veteran's educational assistance benefits, finding that he was prevented from pursuing and completing his master's degree in public health due to service-connected mental and physical disabilities.

The rating reduction from 70 percent to 0 percent for depressive disorder was improper, and the 70 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and the need for additional medical examinations.