Depression decisions — 2025

The appeal of the finding of a duty to assist (DTA) error during higher-level review (HLR) for an acquired psychiatric disorder and the February 26, 2024 VA letter informing the Veteran that he must use the proper Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) form for readjudication of his claim of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis were dismissed. The appeal of service connection for sinusitis and spine-related paresthesia was denied, while claims for other conditions were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for depression, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and headaches. The appeal regarding the issue of service connection for headaches was dismissed due to a procedural defect. Colon cancer, status post colectomy as secondary to colon cancer, and abdominal scar status post colectomy were remanded for initial AOJ consideration.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for depressive disorder secondary to liver cancer, as the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, as no complete Intent to File or Supplemental Claim form was received prior to September 25, 2023.

The Veteran's hospital treatment for his service-connected major depressive disorder with cocaine use disorder from September 20, 2022 to January 09, 2023 is granted, entitling him to a temporary total disability rating.

The Board granted an initial 50 percent evaluation for the service-connected psychiatric disability, but remanded the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for persistent depressive disorder with severe alcohol use disorder in sustained remission, as the Veteran did not file a claim on the appropriate form or an intent to file prior to February 28, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for depressive disorder, finding that it is caused by the Veteran's service-connected tear, right achilles tendon.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and special monthly compensation, as well as higher ratings for various conditions.

The Board remands the claims for a psychiatric disability and headache disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including scheduling VA examinations.

The appeal of the proposed reduction of the disability rating for depression from 70 to 50 percent is dismissed because it was submitted prematurely.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a total disability evaluation, while the TDIU claim is dismissed.

The Board granted an initial 50 percent disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, effective August 24, 2021.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected somatic symptom disorder with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety, as well as a higher rating of 50 percent for muscle contraction headaches. However, it denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) based on a single service-connected disability.

The Board granted service connection for a left hip disability, GERD, and OSA, and an initial 50 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with insomnia renders him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and he is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board granted service connection for a right hip disability, left ankle disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (secondary to service-connected disabilities), an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder secondary to service-connected disabilities), and headaches (secondary to service-connected disabilities). It also granted ratings of 20 percent or less for various knee and hip conditions.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating reduction for PTSD and related conditions, leading to the dismissal of the case.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for TBI with a psychiatric disability.

The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claims for CAD and OSA were remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.