Depression Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the VA examination and incomplete service records. The examiner's opinion was limited, and there is a need for further evaluation of the Veteran's psychiatric conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for persistent depressive disorder is denied because there was no formal or informal claim received within one year of separation from service, and no evidence indicates he intended to file a claim prior to February 16, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee conditions and major depressive disorder, result in the loss of use of both lower extremities such that locomotion is precluded without the aid of a cane or braces. As a result, the Veteran qualifies for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder and depression are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected PTSD. The decision is based on pre-decisional errors and requires additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for cervical condition is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for PTSD under the modernized review system is dismissed.,The appeal of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus is dismissed.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected psychiatric and right shoulder disabilities, which prevent him from performing his previous job as an electrician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a sleep disturbance disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including other specified trauma stressor related disorder and persistent depressive disorder. The Board found that there is a nexus between the Veteran's in-service MST event and his current psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder due to military sexual trauma (MST) and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to her reported harassment during service, resolving any doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's PTSD with sleep disturbances is granted a 70 percent rating since September 17, 2019. The severity of his symptoms more closely approximates the level required for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 17, 2020, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is denied. The Board found that VA did not fail to assist in filing a claim, and there was no duty to assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the validity of the overpayment and the university's decision on the Veteran's withdrawal request. The VA will need to gather additional information from the university and the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis as secondary to service-connected right knee and lumbar spine arthritis. The rating for the acquired psychiatric disorder remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a disability evaluation has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for Total Disability Rating for Compensation Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria, and an increased rating for psychiatric disorder prior to the decision being finalized.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorders have been granted a 70 percent rating, effective prior to June 15, 2021. The Veteran has also been found unemployable based solely on his PTSD.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 22, 2006 for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder. This decision is based on new military personnel records received after a previous denial in October 2006.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, was rated at 70 percent effective January 24, 2020.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression and anxiety is moot as your claim was fully granted in a May 2024 rating decision.