Depression Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to in-service events.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD, as there was no credible evidence that his in-service stressor occurred or a causal relationship between his current symptoms and his military service.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death before a decision was promulgated by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 5, 2021, for the award of individual unemployability and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance based on permanent and total disability status.

The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer, chronic renal disease, and hypertension due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection was also granted for depression related to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus. The claims for service connection for lymphedema, a back condition, gout, a right toe condition, a left ankle condition, diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg clots, bilateral lower extremity neurological conditions, and erectile dysfunction were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and also claimed as severe recurrent major depression without psychotic features was granted. A rating of 30 percent, but not higher, for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) from November 21, 2020, was granted.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to DDD with IVDS, erectile dysfunction as secondary to DDD with IVDS, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ. The appeal was denied for service connection for depression and anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, hypothyroidism, left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, right and left lower extremity peripheral edema, and inguinal hernias.

The Veteran's service-connected depression, left ankle disability, and right and left knee disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his educational and work background.

The Board granted service connection for psychiatric disability, diagnosed as posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have continued since then.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a neck disability, back disability, hand/finger disability, broken left leg, left leg cramps, left leg nerve disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension, to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, recurrent, with alcohol use disorder severe.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, denied an earlier effective date for service connection, and granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to June 24, 2021, and service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent, and TDIU was also granted.

The Board granted increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder tendinopathy, migraines, pain and dysfunction in multiple joints, and major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, and cannabis use disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for depression, emotional and somatic anxiety, and mood changes with anger and sleeping disorder due to a need for further development of the record.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent, and TDIU was also granted.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for GERD and a 50 percent evaluation for cluster headaches, but denied an increased rating for right foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran was also granted a 10 percent evaluation for external hemorrhoids effective May 19, 2024.