Depression Board decisions

The Veteran is granted an effective date of July 24, 2023 for the award of a 100 percent disability rating for persistent depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, cocaine use disorder and cocaine induced psychotic disorder.,The Veteran is also granted an effective date of July 24, 2023 for the award of SMC based on housebound criteria.,However, the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for right knee osteoarthritis with degenerative arthritis and painful motion prior to November 26, 2024 is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder was granted a 70 percent disability rating from January 22, 2025, to the present. The symptoms indicate significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left testicle removal and depression secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with the latter being linked to his service-connected status post hernia repair scar.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of October 15, 2007 for the award of service connection for PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at 10 percent, the lowest available rating. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder contributed to his death from a Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA). The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is therefore granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to February 21, 2020 for service connection of his acquired psychiatric disability. The evidence did not support a finding that there was a factually ascertainable increase in severity during the one-year look-back period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was granted with an effective date of February 21, 1998. The Board found that the symptoms manifested as early as December 17, 1997.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and remanded the claims of anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and somatic symptom disorder.

The Board has granted a request to readjudicate the claim of service connection for tension headaches due to new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's current condition is related to military service, but there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for right ring finger osteomyelitis was denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety, insomnia, and depressive disorders are related to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The Board has found that service connection is warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus at an effective date prior to February 5, 2020 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and an effective date prior to February 5, 2020 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with substance use disorder is denied.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30% evaluation. The claims for chronic sinusitis, non-allergic rhinitis, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression are denied. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The appeal for service connection for blurred vision has been dismissed as the Veteran's claim was granted with a noncompensable rating. The appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, migraines, dizziness, and thyroid gland injury are remanded due to errors in the pre-decisional evidentiary record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition is granted as service-connected, while her heart condition, hypertension, and pulmonary condition are denied. The remaining issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, is related to his service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 70 percent rating for recurrent major depressive disorder, effective October 1, 2021, as the reduction was improper and his symptoms did not improve.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the etiology of the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety is granted. The claim for PTSD is denied. The claims for numbness in the left and right lower extremities are remanded.