Depression decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits granted in a March 2022 Board decision, as A.J. did not represent the Veteran through the date of the decision awarding benefits.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for hypothyroidism from December 23, 2023 to May 7, 2024 and denied service connection for sleep apnea. The claim for anxiety, depression, and PTSD was dismissed as the Veteran is already service-connected for PTSD.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) but dismissed the issues of service connection for depression, anxiety condition, social anxiety, RLS, and CFS as moot due to prior grant of benefits.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death before a decision was made.

The Board granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on the Veteran's reported in-service stressors and a diagnosis from a private provider.

The Board granted the request to readjudicate the claims for service connection for depression and hypertension, but denied the requests for service connection for a headache disability and sleep apnea.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back and neck conditions, as well as service connection for major depressive disorder, left knee condition, and right knee condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression, and a right shoulder disability due to new and relevant evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a disability rating of 70 percent prior to January 29, 2024, but the claim for an increased rating from January 29, 2024, to May 31, 2024, was denied. The Board also remanded the TDIU claim.

The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to schedule a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion, as there were pre-decisional failures in the VA's duty to assist.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, dismissed claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depression due to improper claims processing, and remanded claims for service connection for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, alcohol disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, was granted. The Board remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for hand dermatitis with eczema.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, effective from July 19, 2022.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder was granted a 100 percent disability rating from August 20, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding a compensable rating for residuals of a bilateral jaw injury and denied an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder, as the Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially and materially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, an earlier effective date, and a higher initial rating for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral leg pain but granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for tinnitus, major depressive disorder, low back disability, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees from past due benefits awarded in a February 2024 rating decision granting a 100 percent rating for PTSD from May 2023.

The Veteran's service connection for migraines was granted, and the ratings for tinnitus, depression, and asthma were either denied or restored. The claims for erectile dysfunction (ED) and TDIU were remanded.