Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and hemorrhoids have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depression and anxiety disorder, was found to be causally linked to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. His tinnitus was also granted based on credible reports of in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's loss of use of a creative organ and acquired psychiatric disability, including insomnia, depression, and anxiety, are granted as service-connected. However, the rating for his acquired psychiatric disability remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and other specified trauma disorder, is found to be secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The Board granted the claim based on a private opinion from PsyD. K.B.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and unspecified anxiety disorder, due to military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability (unspecified depressive disorder and insomnia), and sleep apnea due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The issues will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder is denied as the evidence does not show that his disability picture was consistent with occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to June 15, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for depression, including as secondary to the service-connected sleep apnea. The evidence did not show a nexus between current depressive disorder and service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and major depressive disorder, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including those for higher ratings and service connection.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for service connection of acquired psychiatric conditions, including PTSD, and depression. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for persistent depressive disorder and an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's anxiety, with insomnia and depression, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus. Therefore, service connection for these conditions as secondary to tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with MDD and alcohol use disorder has caused erectile dysfunction, which is now granted on a secondary basis. The rating for the psychiatric condition remains at 70 percent since it does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and effective dates related to various mental health conditions. The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed before the claims can be decided.

The Board has determined that more additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the current issue on appeal, which involves service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board previously denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional development, specifically obtaining VA treatment records and Vet Center records, as well as a medical opinion regarding the onset of any current psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's recurrent perianal abscess is rated at 60 percent since January 6, 2021. The earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits has been granted.

The Veteran's initial intent to file claims for service connection for TBI with PTSD, migraines, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and tinnitus was received by VA on March 8, 2019. The effective dates for these awards are denied as they were not earlier than March 8, 2019.,The Veteran's intent to file a claim for SMC based on housebound status prior to February 1, 2017 was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for right hip disorder, depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping, headaches, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right foot disorder and left foot disorder due to a lack of VA examination.