Depression decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected moderate persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the current 50 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD and migraines, denied increased ratings for migraines and PTSD, and granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder and tension headaches but denied the claim for hypertension.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder prior to November 3, 2020, and a rating in excess of 50 percent from November 4, 2020, to September 25, 2022. However, the Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective May 7, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder, finding no evidence of a formal or informal claim prior to April 29, 2013.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (OSTSRD) with unspecified depressive disorder, as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service-connected tinnitus and remanded the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, left, major depressive disorder (MDD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar conditions, chronic migraines, and MDD. The claims for hives, lung scarring, elbow and ankle conditions as secondary to Valley Fever were readjudicated based on new evidence.

The appeal seeking revision or reversal of the January 9, 1986, rating decision was denied. The appeal seeking revision or reversal of the November 30, 2015, rating decision was granted, and an effective date of November 15, 1984, for the award of service connection for PTSD was assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for Sunscreen SPF 30 as there is no evidence that he was prescribed sunscreen for a service-connected disability.

The Board granted initial disability ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities, right and left lower extremities involving femoral and sciatic nerves, and a 70 percent rating for service-connected other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress (moderate), as well as a compensable rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder were denied.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected major depressive disorder and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), to include extraschedular consideration.

The Board granted a 100 percent evaluation for persistent depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder effective February 11, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to a lack of competent evidence showing the Veteran had a diagnosis of PTSD conforming to the DSM-5 during or approximate to the pendency of the claim. The claim for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder was remanded for further development.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent, while the other claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied.

The appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, claimed as anxiety and depression, was dismissed due to the grant of service connection for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 14, 2020, for the award of a 70 percent rating for service-connected generalized anxiety and unspecified depressive disorder, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.