Depression decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination records and private treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, IBS, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. Headaches are secondary to degenerative arthritis of the spine, IBS is linked to in-service symptoms that persisted post-service, and anxiety, depression, and PTSD are related to a witnessed traumatic incident during service.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, effective January 3, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for depressive disorder from December 27, 2021 to March 28, 2022 is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board has determined that a 70 percent rating is warranted due to suicidal ideation. The remanded issues include obtaining a scanned letter from the Veteran's spouse related to his mental health and determining entitlement to TDIU.

The Board remands the claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error by obtaining outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and other specified anxiety disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to a failure to schedule VA examinations. The Veteran was scheduled but did not attend, and good cause is found for this failure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder with depression is granted with an effective date of August 4, 2019. The issue of earlier effective date for TDIU prior to May 12, 2021, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is found to significantly impact their ability to work, leading to a determination of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for a low back disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety) is denied.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis due to burn pit exposure and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension as secondary to a service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorder, which was previously diagnosed during service. The case will be reviewed for a new opinion on the etiology of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist and for additional evidence to be considered. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, anxiety and depression, and bilateral hearing loss are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric conditions, specifically PTSD and related disorders. The case is now pending for further review by a new examiner.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and traumatic brain injury with memory loss is denied. The appeal for a right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome rating in excess of 10 percent is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent effective September 18, 2019. The rating is based on the severity of symptoms that cause occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for depression is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his depression is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus. The Board also denied the Veteran's TDIU claim due to his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error and requires a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

The Veteran's disability rating for insomnia disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and features of depression was restored to 50 percent effective October 19, 2021. A 70 percent rating was granted for the period from November 10, 2020, to April 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating since April 2, 2022, is denied. An effective date of November 10, 2020, was granted for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.