Depression Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and tension headaches. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to in-service events or injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

Your appeal has been dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of your appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claim(s) at this time.

Your claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, has been fully granted with a rating of 30 percent effective December 29, 2023. The appeal is dismissed as moot since the benefit requested (service connection) has already been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for depressive disorder and anxiety, finding no error in the April 23, 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding the reduction of his service-connected depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and stimulant use disorder in early remission, leaving no issues for appellate consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and persistent depressive disorder with mild alcohol use disorder, finding that the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted, but the Board finds additional evidence is needed to determine if he has a current diagnosis of PTSD and whether his sleep disturbances are separate from his acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have led to the need for regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as it is a lesser benefit than SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and PTSD) was rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, depression, cystitis, and urinary incontinence. The decision grants SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's MDD and migraine headaches have been rated at the maximum available evaluation (50 percent), but the Board has remanded to reassess these conditions.,The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims related to his MDD or migraine headaches are also being remanded.

The reduction in the rating for major depressive disorder and PTSD from 100 percent to 70 percent, effective February 1, 2020, was improper. The Veteran's condition has not shown actual improvement since then.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches (claimed as cephalgia).

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring the AOJ to obtain an opinion on whether VA treatment caused additional disability and if so, whether it was due to carelessness or negligence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that his current diagnosis of major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's current back disorder is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it began during active service.,Service connection for a mental health disability (including bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression) is denied. The Board found no evidence of aggravation in-service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the appropriate rating for PTSD and whether the Veteran should be granted TDIU prior to October 19, 2021. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, back condition, left hip arthritis with strain, right ankle and left ankle. The Veteran's mental health conditions are being reviewed due to a lack of probative weight in the October 2019 VA examination, while his back and ankle conditions require clarification regarding their etiology.