Depression decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, PTSD, and psychotic disorder due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD or Major Depressive Disorder, and denied service connection for conjunctivitis, diabetes mellitus type II, anemia, COPD, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, prostatitis, and ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% initial disability rating from December 20, 2010. SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was granted for the period March 31, 2011 to April 17, 2014 and June 2, 2014. The TDIU appeal is moot for the periods from March 31, 2011 to April 17, 2014 and June 2, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the September 2021 VA examination, which did not provide an adequate rationale for its conclusion regarding the onset of the Veteran's major depressive disorder and its relation to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD secondary to MST and MDD, is granted. The claim for a low back disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 70 percent for his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD, is granted. The effective date for this grant is set at November 30, 2018, the date VA received the Veteran's Intent to File.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective September 22, 2018 and a TDIU is granted as of the same date.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the initial decision and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The symptoms were found to be consistent with a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating of 70 percent for his psychiatric disorder, which includes PTSD with depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder, was granted. The criteria for a 70 percent disability rating were met based on the severity of symptoms such as depression, anxiety, hypervigilance, paranoia, panic attacks, chronic sleep impairment, impaired impulse control, anger, and suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with other specified trauma and stressor disorder is granted, effective from the date his claim was received in January 2018. His claims for service connection for PTSD, TDIU, and basic eligibility for DEA benefits are denied as moot due to the grant of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and providing an adequate VA nexus opinion regarding whether the Veteran's IBS is secondary to his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran seeks service connection for PTSD, MDD, and GAD.

The Board has determined that the RO made errors in its duty to assist and remanded the case for further action, including obtaining mental health records from Keesler Air Force Base.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date earlier than February 26, 2022, for a 100 percent disability rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder with psychotic features and alcohol use disorder. The earliest date as of which it is ascertainable that the Veteran's condition met the criteria for a 100 percent rating was February 26, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to consider additional medical records from his Social Security Administration (SSA). The Board cannot proceed without these records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at a hearing. The Board dismissed the appeal as the Veteran withdrew the issue.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of May 16, 2008, for the award of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as a freestanding claim. The March 2009 rating decision became final due to the expiration of the appeal period and no request for CUE has been raised.