Depression — all decisions

The Board denied service connection for shin splints, a low back disability, and a left ankle disability. The effective date for the award of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress was also denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for multiple service-connected conditions and denied service connection for several additional conditions, including tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, left sciatic radicular pain of the left leg, traumatic brain injury (TBI), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome, and a back disorder.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder with persistent major depressive disorder but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation effective October 9, 2020.

The Board granted restoration of service connection for a psychiatric disorder characterized as major depressive disorder with anxious distress, effective May 2, 2023.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD) and denied an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and/or another acquired psychiatric disability as the evidence did not support a finding of a current disability or an increase in severity during active duty training.

The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and cognitive impairment from May 1, 2017 to December 10, 2019; denied a rating in excess of 70 percent from December 11, 2019 to February 6, 2023. The Board granted ratings of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy from May 1, 2017 to February 6, 2023; denied a rating in excess of 20 percent on and after February 7, 2023. The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for hypertension effective August 10, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities to correct duty to assist errors, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and adequate VA medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for depression, insomnia, and arthritis (including a right wrist disability) due to insufficient evidence of record.

The Board granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for depressive disorder with anxiety and service connection for insomnia, while denying service connection for OSA and plantar fascitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for eligibility for specially adapted housing, a special home adaptation grant, and financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. The claim of CUE in the September 14, 2017, rating decision was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder, finding that the April 28, 2023 Intent to File was no longer active when the March 3, 2024 claim was filed.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date prior to November 2, 2009, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with major depression.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for depression and denied all other claims, including increased ratings and earlier effective dates.

The Board granted service connection for a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as PTSD, trauma-related disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, and insomnia.

The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include depression and anxiety, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) and denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, as there was no current diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to corroborate the claimed in-service stressors.