Depression Board decisions

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back and neck conditions, as well as service connection for major depressive disorder, left knee condition, and right knee condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression, and a right shoulder disability due to new and relevant evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a disability rating of 70 percent prior to January 29, 2024, but the claim for an increased rating from January 29, 2024, to May 31, 2024, was denied. The Board also remanded the TDIU claim.

The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to schedule a VA examination and obtain a medical opinion, as there were pre-decisional failures in the VA's duty to assist.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, dismissed claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depression due to improper claims processing, and remanded claims for service connection for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, alcohol disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, was granted. The Board remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for hand dermatitis with eczema.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, effective from July 19, 2022.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder was granted a 100 percent disability rating from August 20, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding a compensable rating for residuals of a bilateral jaw injury and denied an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder, as the Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.

The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities contributed substantially and materially to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, an earlier effective date, and a higher initial rating for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral leg pain but granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for tinnitus, major depressive disorder, low back disability, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve.

The Board denied the appellant's eligibility for direct payment of attorney fees from past due benefits awarded in a February 2024 rating decision granting a 100 percent rating for PTSD from May 2023.

The Veteran's service connection for migraines was granted, and the ratings for tinnitus, depression, and asthma were either denied or restored. The claims for erectile dysfunction (ED) and TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and intermittent psychotic symptoms was granted, along with a 10 percent rating for plantar warts of both feet.

The Board found that the October 28, 1999 and March 31, 2000 rating decisions were not the product of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The appeal for an increased rating for unspecified depressive disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran's continued pursuit of a legacy appeal.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran and is dismissed.

The appeal was granted for service connection of unspecified depressive disorder and headaches, but denied for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbosacral strain. Some claims were also remanded.

The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches and generalized anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder, but denied service connection for persistent depressive disorder.