Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with features of anxious distress is rated at 70 percent disabling from November 30, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran seeks service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and MDD. The Board has determined that remand is necessary to clarify the current diagnosis of ED and provide a more definitive opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has found service connection for alcohol use disorder, but denied service connection for depression. The decision is mixed as it grants one issue and denies another.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder, is granted service connection. Service connection for bilateral eye disability and migraine headaches secondary to low back disability are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder (PDD) has rendered her unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment, and the Board affords her the benefit of doubt in granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 10, 2019 for the increased rating and TDIU awards due to continuous pursuit of claims since January 10, 2019.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder (in sustained remission), is rated at a 100 percent disability rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 19, 2010, for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to several service-connected disabilities, including left temporomandibular disorder (TMD), allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70 percent since December 3, 2022. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between the two.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran elected concurrent review options, which is not allowed under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder was denied, while his TDIU claim was granted.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated as TDIU effective February 21, 2024.,SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective February 21, 2024.,An initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.,A higher rating of hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable or unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of October 16, 2017. The Board granted an effective date of this date for his TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to conflicting opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's depression and substance abuse.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to insufficient evidence of in-service stressors and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent since February 22, 2017. The Board denied an increased rating as the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a deviated septum due to additional development being required. The Veteran's claims are not about service connection via a presumption, but rather on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder and unspecified depressive disorder is granted with an effective date of March 17, 2020.