Depression Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, depression, a temporomandibular joint disorder, and bruxism as the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a higher disability rating for his unspecified depressive disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or sufficient symptoms to warrant a 70 percent or higher disability rating.

The appeal was dismissed without prejudice due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder and hypertension, as well as remanded the claims for left knee strain and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as insomnia disorder/depression, finding it to be secondary to sleep troubles caused by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depression with anxious distress was granted a rating of 70 percent, while the claim for TDIU prior to May 20, 2023 was denied.

The Board granted an effective date of November 19, 2007, for the grant of service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and major depressive disorder associated with cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for a neurocognitive disorder, major depressive disorder, and ADHD based on the evidence showing that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for major depressive disorder and a special monthly compensation (SMC) from February 4, 2025. The effective date prior to May 30, 2018, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder was denied.

The Board granted service connection for MDD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied service connection for hypertension and remanded issues related to PTSD and a heart disability.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's psychiatric disorders (PTSD, depression, anxiety) and granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for sinusitis. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, gastrointestinal issues, foot pain, hand scars, shin splints, migraines, thoracolumbar spine condition, and respiratory condition, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded claims for service connection for hyperlipidemia, stroke, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Unspecified Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Other Specified Personality Disorder, and Unspecified Depressive Disorder, due to in-service sexual trauma.

The Board granted service connection for depression, finding the evidence to be at least in approximate balance as to whether it had its onset during active service.

The Veteran was granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and bruxism (MDD) from February 28, 2024, but not earlier.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of January 31, 2019, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), but his claim for a higher rating for PTSD was denied.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected OSA, restored a 60 percent rating for asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, and granted a 20 percent rating for dry eye syndrome during the period on appeal from September 17, 2023, to October 11, 2024. The Board denied a higher rating for unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, a 100 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 9, 2019. It also granted an effective date of June 4, 2020, but no earlier, for the assignment of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) and award of Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which include rheumatoid arthritis affecting multiple joints and other conditions.