Depression decisions — 2025

The veteran's request for a higher rating for depressive disorder was denied. The appeals for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, right arm numbness/neuropathy, and right ankle numbness/neuropathy were dismissed as moot because these conditions were already granted service connection.

The Board remanded the case to address whether the veteran's discharge character bars VA benefits and to reconsider service connection for depressive disorder.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's sleep apnea, finding it secondary to his service-connected depressive disorder, lumbar spine spondylosis with DDD, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hip strain.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder (MDD). The June 2017 rating decision assigning August 9, 2016 as the effective date is final and cannot be challenged through a freestanding claim.

The veteran's increased disability rating for migraines was granted an earlier effective date of January 28, 2022. However, the request for a higher rating beyond 30% and changes to the psychiatric disability rating were denied.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD was dismissed. The claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral pes planus with residuals of right foot injury was denied. The rating reduction for GERD was restored to 30 percent. Issues regarding service connection for psychiatric disabilities and a higher rating for bilateral pes planus were remanded.

The veteran is granted an effective date of January 1, 2018, for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran is also eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of PTSD and depressive disorder due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran will undergo a new examination.

The veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted starting from December 31, 2015. The issue of TDIU prior to this date was remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to major depressive disorder with anxious distress and post-concussion syndrome has been granted. The evidence was balanced, but the benefit of the doubt was given to the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues, including failure to readjudicate the proposed severance of service connection for major neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease as an accrued benefits claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities other than her major depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not show she was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to her service-connected physical disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, GERD, IBS, right ankle condition, anxiety, and depression. It remanded decisions on tinnitus, right index finger, right thumb condition, and scars.

The veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma-related disorder and major depressive disorder, is granted. The decision is based on evidence showing the onset of these conditions during active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were granted. The claim for dental disability was denied but remanded for further consideration.

The veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder was granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bipolar disorder is June 4, 2021.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the veteran's PTSD and related conditions, confirming September 21, 2023 as the effective date.

The veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) secondary to a left ankle sprain was granted. The OSA was found to be caused or aggravated by obesity, which in turn was caused or aggravated by the service-connected left ankle sprain.

The Board denied the veteran's request for earlier effective dates for a 70 percent rating for MDD and TDIU due to insufficient evidence supporting the severity of symptoms before the assigned dates.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder and PTSD, was granted. The decision is based on evidence showing the conditions began during service.