Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress has caused significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 70% disability rating from October 5, 2023.

The Veteran's service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder is secondary to a service-connected condition, and the Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide an examination for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, as well as failing to verify the in-service stressors. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with these issues addressed.

The Veteran's left knee strain and psychiatric disorders (generalized anxiety disorder and depression) are granted service connection.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar disorder is granted as secondary to the service-connected left knee strain. The Veteran's CAD and DM are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure in service.,The Veteran's CAD is granted based on conceded in-service toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) and hypertension, while his DM is granted based on TERA and service-connected left knee strain.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is remanded due to a pre-decisional error in the VA's duty to assist, specifically regarding missing private treatment records related to her service-connected depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error in developing his claim regarding contaminated drinking water exposure and for obtaining an adequate medical opinion on the secondary service connection claim.

The Board has restored service connection for PTSD and depression, finding that the original decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disabilities are related to his reports of harassment and bullying in service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examination prior to the rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examination prior to the rating decision.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also has been granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and unspecified depressive disorder. The Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty, and a private medical opinion supports the link between his current condition and his military service. As such, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression is granted service connection. The low back disability claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and benefits related to his PTSD are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Specifically, the AOJ should obtain records from the Vet Center.

The Veteran's appeals for various ratings related to PTSD, renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his attorney.

An effective date of October 11, 2023, and no earlier, for an increased 30 percent disability rating for service-connected migraine headaches is granted.,An effective date prior to October 11, 2023, for the award of service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 70 percent disability rating for unspecified depressive disorder with alcohol and cannabis use disorder is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including persistent depressive disorder, is granted prior to January 15, 2025. The claim for insomnia is denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA medical opinions and treatment records.

The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for the service-connected mental health disorder is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is granted.