Depression Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a refund of the VA funding fee associated with his VA Home Loan was denied because he did not meet the criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 3729, which allows for a waiver of the funding fee if the Veteran is receiving compensation or would be entitled to receive compensation but for receipt of active duty pay.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a psychiatric condition, including ADHD, depression, and anxiety.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his major depressive disorder was granted, with the effective date set at February 8, 2020.,Additionally, he received entitlement to TDIU and DEA benefits from January 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with dissociative symptoms, persistent depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder is not rated higher than 70 percent. Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU effective August 14, 2023.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher level of special monthly compensation, including based on an intermediate step increase.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma and Major Depressive Disorder. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in duty to assist and insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent throughout the appeal period, with occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as depressed mood, anhedonia, negative self-thinking, anger, irritability, poor concentration, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, impaired judgment, disturbances of motivation and mood, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideations.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder is granted an increased rating to 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's depression, which is secondary to his service-connected kidney disease.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are due to his experiences in service. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's application for Legacy S-DVI was denied due to his service-connected major depressive disorder and a non-service-connected history of prostate cancer. The Board has ordered remand to ensure compliance with the underwriting procedures, including obtaining an Attending Physician's Statement (APS) and ensuring that all evidence relied upon is included in the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for depression and PTSD were dismissed as the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% disabling effective June 1, 2021. The Board granted an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA from June 3, 2021.

The Veteran's appeals for a temporary 100 percent evaluation based on hospitalization and an increased disability rating for PTSD have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board has dismissed these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and depressive disorder with major depressive-like episode and anxious distress, secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The decision is based on a finding that the current disability was proximately due to or the result of his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's depression is found to be due to his service-connected tinnitus, and the Board has granted service connection for this secondary condition.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 26, 2019 for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected mental health and knee disabilities.