Depression decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as service connection for PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary incontinence, left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, right lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, left leg condition (knee strain), right leg condition (knee strain), obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, heart condition, and hypertension. However, it dismissed the appeals for service connection for major neurocognitive disorder, MDD, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and remanded claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee mild medial compartment osteoarthritis, and anxiety with depression.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and other conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for service connection for migraines and scars of the extremities/trunk were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 24, 2014, as the evidence demonstrated that he was able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation despite service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active service.

The Board granted service connection for GERD, unspecified depressive disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. It also granted ratings of 50%, 20%, and 20% for lumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy respectively, as well as TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for right shin splints, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress (claimed as depression), and PTSD due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder and service connection for migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the Veteran's disabilities and ancillary compensation benefits, finding that August 8, 2023, was correctly assigned as the effective date.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, based on the Veteran's in-service stressor event during the Gulf War.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder for the period on appeal from November 7, 1996, to March 4, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for TBI with dizziness, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and insomnia.

The Board granted a 50 percent initial disability rating for adjustment disorder, with anxiety and depressed mood from December 6, 2023, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and depression.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, to schedule a VA examination.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus, depression, mitral valve prolapse, and shortness of breath was dismissed due to claims processing errors. The claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) on a direct basis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include insomnia, for further development of evidence and a more thorough medical opinion.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including vertigo, knee disabilities, radiculopathies, PTSD, shin splints, depression, GERD, and IBS.