BVA Decisions on Depression

154 real veterans-appeals decisions on VA disability claims involving depression — Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions and U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decisions, each labeled with its court. Each links to the full decision, reasoning, and citations.

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• CAVCCase 11-2349 — Affirmed / Remanded / Vacated 2011-06-22
  SCHOELEN, Judge :the appellant III ,appeals through counsel a June 22, 2011,Board of Veterans'Appeals (Board)decision that (1)determined new and material evidence had not been rece...
• CAVCCase 24-4659 — Reversed / Remanded / Vacated 2025-08-29
  On May 10,2024,the Board denied disability ratings for MDD with anxious distress in excess of 10%for the period from August 10,2015,to November 14,2018; in excess of 50%for the per...
• CAVCCase 12-2616 — Remanded / Reversed / Vacated 1969-04-01
  The appellant and, on remand,the Board determined the RO decision to be void ab initio,and the 10%was restored,effective April 1, 1969....
• CAVCCase 19-0001 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2018-09-04
  A May 2009 private nexus opinion notes that [d]ue to the impossibility to use [the right] arm the appellant....
• CAVCCase 23-6651 — Affirmed 2024-08-21
  In the October 2023 decision on appeal,the Board denied entitlement to benefits for degenerative arthritis;lumbosacral disc degeneration with herniated disc and moderate stenosis a...
• CAVCCase 18-1103 — Vacated / Remanded 2018-01-18
  The examiner also noted that the appellant had described the severity of his PTSD as mild,but the examiner gave the appellant the benefit of the doubt that his symptoms wax and wan...
• CAVCCase 11-3732 — Affirmed / Remanded 2011-05-02
  The Board denied disability compensation for headaches,noting that (1)evidence demonstrating headaches in service related the headaches to the appellant's sinus problems, and the a...
• CAVCCase 24-1022 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2025-06-30
  The Board noted that neither the veteran nor his representative alleged any error with VA's duty to assist or a lack of substantial compliance with the September 2022 Board remand ...
• CAVCCase 15-2585 — Vacated / Remanded 2017-03-30
  This matter was referred to a panel of the Court, with oral argument,to address the circumstances under which the duty to assist requires VA,in a claim for service connection for a...
• CAVCCase 23-5618 — Affirmed 2024-11-25
  McDonough ,the appellant argues that remand is required for the Board to use the correct test for 'employment in a protected environment,'that his employment did or did not shield ...
• CAVCCase 14-3126 — Vacated / Remanded / Affirmed 2014-09-04
  As an initial matter,the Board found that VA had satisfied its duty to assist because VA had conducted all development necessary to substantiate the claims....
• CAVCCase 23-5486 — Denied / Remanded 2025-03-31
  In April 2021,the Board remanded the case for an additional medical opinion, noting that the October 2020 medical opinion did not address the questions posed in the Board's remand ...
• CAVCCase 12-1845 — Reversed / Vacated / Remanded 2012-05-21
  For the reasons that follow,the Court will reverse the Board's finding that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence sufficient to reopen his 1 The Board referred to a ...
• CAVCCase 23-2829 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2024-09-30
  However,after weighing the evidence,the Board found the veteran's contemporaneous statements at separation from service,which denied headaches and muscle pain,to be more credible t...
• CAVCCase 93-1220 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 1996-08-01
  In a September 1978 BVA decision, the Board denied service connection for a back disability....
• CAVCCase 22-5983 — Affirmed 2022-09-13
  Parties'Arguments The appellant contends that the Board failed to provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases because the Board did not sufficiently consider the January 2016...
• CAVCCase 15-3657 — Remanded / Vacated / Reversed / Affirmed 2015-05-28
  Finally,the Board denied effective dates earlier than March 5,2009,for the grants of service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus....
• CAVCCase 01-345 — Vacated 2003-06-27
  STEINBERG, Judge: The appellant, through counsel, seeks review of a November 17, 2000, decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA or Board) that concluded that new and materia...
• CAVCCase 17-3598 — Vacated / Remanded 2017-06-13
  The appellant , through counsel,appeals a June 13,2017,Board of Veteran's Appeals (Board)decision in which the Board denied service connection for an inguinal hernia and back disab...
• CAVCCase 21-2635 — Vacated / Remanded 2021-03-25
  The RO advised the appellant that [e]fforts to obtain [his] service treatment records from all potential sources were unsuccessful and that [t]he [NPRC]reported that the records ma...
• CAVCCase 23-0038 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2022-05-09
  In response to a claim received on March 15,2018, 4 a VA regional office (RO) denied service connection for both diabetes and anxiety based on a lack of new and material evidence,a...
• CAVCCase 23-4298 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2024-06-06
  Additionally,the Board awarded disability compensation for pseudofolliculitis barbae and found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims for disability com...
• CAVCCase 94-661 — Reversed / Vacated 1997-03-07
  In order to conduct meaningful research, the veteran must provide the "who, what, where[,] and when" of each stressor....
• CAVCCase 95-984 — Dismissed 2001-06-14
  Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) affirmed the Court's decision that the November 1972 VARO decision did not contain CUE, but remanded the matter to determ...
• CAVCCase 21-7788 — Vacated / Remanded 2021-08-13
  The RO also denied the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and explained that the evidence submitted in connection with the current cla...
• CAVCCase 18-1440 — Affirmed 2017-11-28
  The RO also determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim for disability compensation for a personality disorder,previously claimed as a mental...
• CAVCCase 23-527 — Vacated / Remanded 2024-07-31
  A separate medical opinion completed by the same psychologist provided a negative nexus and stated that the [e]xaminer sees no evidence of [m]emory [l]oss....
• CAVCCase 97-1534 — Vacated 1999-02-17
  STEINBERG, Judge: The appellant, the veteran appeals through counsel a May 6, 1997, decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board or BVA) that determined that new and material ...
• CAVCCase 03-0221 — Affirmed / Remanded 2002-10-07
  The appellant's request for revision on the basis that the 1971 Board failed to consider the possible application of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (...
• CAVCCase 21-5718 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2021-04-30
  For the following reasons,the Court will vacate the Board's decision to the extent that the Board failed to address the reasonably raised issue of entitlement to secondary service ...
• CAVCCase 21-3379 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2021-03-17
  Following the examination,VA sought an additional medical opinion,explaining that the prior examiner also noted a diagnosis of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH),a condition that i...
• CAVCCase 08-3802 — Affirmed 2008-07-17
  Because the Board's findings that VA complied with its duty to assist and provided adequate medical examinations were not clearly erroneous,and because the Board provided an adequa...
• CAVCCase 10-2753 — Affirmed / Vacated 2009-06-17
  The appellant were not credible and that VA's duty to assist did not require it to provide him with a medical examination,and because the appellant....
• CAVCCase 12-2012 — Affirmed / Remanded / Vacated 2012-02-29
  The appellant averred that the veteran submitted new and material evidence within the one-year appeal period and that VA had failed to adjudicate the claim on the merits....
• CAVCCase 21-3087 — Vacated / Remanded / Affirmed 2021-01-19
  The matter 3 returned to the Board in April 2009,and the Board denied the appellant's claim for benefits for a low back disability....
• CAVCCase 22-411 — Vacated / Remanded 2021-09-26
  The appellant , through counsel,appeals a September 26,2021,Board of Veterans'Appeals (Board)decision in which the Board denied service connection for (1)a lumbar spine disability;...
• CAVCCase 14-2165 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2014-06-24
  The appellant appeals a June 24,2014,Board of Veterans'Appeals (Board)decision wherein the Board determined that the character of his discharge from his period of service from Marc...
• CAVCCase 23-6949 — Unknown 2024-10-31
  In the remand instructions,the Board noted that regarding the appellant's physical assault, the examiner should indicate whether any behavioral changes that occurred at or close in...
• CAVCCase 23-4310 — Vacated / Remanded 2024-11-14
  The Board found that neither the October 2020 nor the November 2020 examiner had adequately addressed whether VA had acted carelessly or negligently by not properly numbing the inc...
• CAVCCase 22-491 — Unknown 2021-09-28
  3 Because the Board failed to provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases supporting its findings denying service connection for both a psychiatric disability and OSA, and be...
• CAVCCase 22-4979 — Unknown 2022-06-06
  The appellant signed an application for expeditious discharge,acknowledging that the medical board found him, because of disability,unfit for retention,and that he waived his right...
• CAVCCase 23-3920 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2024-09-24
  The RO and the Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the back claim....
• CAVCCase 17-3135 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2017-08-02
  The examiner also concluded that the appellant's in-service back muscle strain and muscle spasm had resolved without residuals,and that such conditions did not cause and were not r...
• CAVCCase 23-4291 — Vacated / Remanded 2024-12-30
  The Board found that [t]he [v]eteran's PTSD more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, and the Board noted that his symp...
• CAVCCase 18-2844 — Affirmed 2018-02-13
  Parties'Arguments The appellant argues that the Board erred when it determined that his statements describing the alleged MST were not credible and accordingly declined to afford h...
• CAVCCase 09-3727 — Affirmed 2009-06-10
  Lay Testimony The appellant argues that the Board failed to consider credible lay evidence with regard to his service-connection claims for left knee disability,depression,back pai...
• CAVCCase 24-2039 — Unknown 2025-05-07
  The Secretary concedes the Board erred in denying a TDIU....
• CAVCCase 23-4881 — Unknown 2025-01-30
  In his initial brief,the appellant argued that in dismissing his claims,the Board failed to comply with the Court's January 2023 remand instructions and thus left his claims unreso...
• CAVCCase 19-8155 — Vacated / Remanded / Affirmed 2019-08-13
  In his informal brief, the appellant does not challenge the Board's denial of an earlier effective date for the award of benefits of bilateral instability of the knees,or the Board...
• CAVCCase 22-7345 — Vacated / Remanded 2022-11-03
  The examiner opined that the veteran's sleep apnea was not related to any type of [G]ulf [W]ar exposure event and that the condition was more likely caused by obesity....
• CAVCCase 09-3181 — Vacated / Affirmed 2009-04-30
  Because the Board failed to ensure compliance with its September 2007 remand order regarding the appellant....
• CAVCCase 07-0764 — Remanded / Affirmed / Vacated 2007-02-01
  Initially,the Court notes that it lacks jurisdiction over the claims for a skin disorder,bilateral hearing loss,increased ratings for an undiagnosed illness manifested by joint pai...
• CAVCCase 93-388 — Affirmed / Vacated 1987-06-05
  The appellant, appeals from a January 28, 1993, decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA or Board) which determined that since he had failed to submit new and material evide...
• CAVCCase 93-644 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 1995-04-14
  In February 1987, the RO confirmed its October 1986 denial of service connection for heart disease, finding that the evidence submitted was "not new and material"....
• CAVCCase 17-4733 — Vacated / Remanded 2017-08-17
  The appellant ,through counsel,appeals an August 17,2017,Board of Veterans'Appeals (Board) decision in which the Board denied service connection for the appellant's post-traumatic ...
• CAVCCase 15-4758 — Vacated / Remanded / Affirmed 2015-08-24
  The Board also granted the appellant's claim for entitlement to service connection for bilateral tinnitus and assigned a disability rating of 10%and reopened and remanded his claim...
• CAVCCase 20-4336 — Affirmed 2020-05-19
  To the extent the Board denied a rating higher than 20%,the appellant does not raise any argument concerning that matter,and the Court will also dismiss the appeal as to that aband...
• CAVCCase 19-2640 — Reversed / Affirmed / Vacated 2021-04-16
  at 79,and he contended that when assigning the effective date VA had failed to consider and correctly apply 38 C....
• CAVCCase 18-6734 — Affirmed 2018-11-01
  In the decision here on appeal the Board denied service connection for each of the claimed conditions....
• CAVCCase 22-1013 — Unknown 2021-12-20
  The examiner therefore opined that the veteran's bilateral hand pain was less likely than not related to his in- service complaints....
• CAVCCase 11-2889 — Affirmed 2011-08-05
  Specifically,the Board denied (1)the PTSD claim because there was no evidence of a diagnosis of PTSD (R....
• CAVCCase 23-7340 — Granted / Denied In Part 2025-04-10
  The appellant sustained to his head and neck 2 Case:23-7340 Page: 3 of 21 Filed:04/10/2025 in August 1965 were not service connected because he did not enter active service until F...
• CAVCCase 21-4066 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2021-05-22
  In the May 2021 decision here on appeal, the Board denied the appellant....
• CAVCCase 06-488 — Vacated 2005-12-30
  HAGEL, Judge : the appellant appeals through counsel a December 30, 2005, Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) decision in which the Board denied service connection for post- traumat...
• CAVCCase 23-5480 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2024-12-30
  The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received and therefore declined to reopen a previously denied claim for disability compensation for an acquired psy...
• CAVCCase 22-0960 — Vacated / Remanded / Affirmed 2021-11-24
  Later that month,VA simply found that no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen a previously denied head injury claim....
• CAVCCase 93-1111 — Affirmed / Vacated / Reversed / Remanded 1995-06-26
  A February 2, 1988, VA letter, notifying the veteran that her appeal period had expired and that new and material evidence was needed to reopen her claim, was sent to her at the Wa...
• CAVCCase 09-4670 — Vacated / Remanded 2009-11-05
  The appellant ,appeals through counsel a November 5,2009,Board of Veterans'Appeals (Board)decision that found new and material evidence had been received to reopen a claim for enti...
• CAVCCase 21-8248 — Unknown 2021-12-01
  In a July 2017 rating decision,the RO declined to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder,claimed as nerves, depression,anxiety,and post-trauma...
• CAVCCase 22-7156 — Unknown 2022-08-19
  The appellant's depression was not related to service and the RO denied service connection for PTSD based on insufficient evidence of an in-service stressor....
• CAVCCase 20-8665 — Vacated / Remanded 2020-08-25
  (1)a current disability,(2)incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury in service,and (3)a nexus between the claimed in-service injury or disease and the current disability....
• CAVCCase 20-5175 — Affirmed 2020-06-29
  The Board found that the July 2018 and October 2018 private and VA examiners, respectively,found that the appellant....
• CAVCCase 95-232 — Reversed 1996-10-01
  An August 1986 RO decision stated that "no new and material evidence [had been] submitted which would warrant reversal of prior denial....
• CAVCCase 14-0334 — Vacated / Remanded 2015-10-19
  On November 8,2013,the Board denied the appellant entitlement to service connection for (1)a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and (2)a depressive disorder with mixed anxiety fe...
• CAVCCase 20-4504 — Unknown 2020-03-05
  PIETSCH, Judge :The appellant,the appellant, through counsel,appeals a March 5, 2020,Board of Veteran's Appeals (Board)decision in which the Board denied (1)a disability rating in ...
• CAVCCase 16-1052 — Remanded / Affirmed / Vacated 2016-02-10
  4 The Board noted that,at her separation examination,the appellant....
• CAVCCase 14-4007 — Vacated / Remanded / Affirmed 2014-10-10
  Among other things,the Board denied the appellant's claims for disability compensation for bilateral cervical radiculopathy,dry eye syndrome,and a left knee disorder (other than sh...
• CAVCCase 21-4580 — Unknown 2021-02-11
  3 Because the September 2019 and September 2020 VA medical opinions on which the Board relied are inadequate,and because the Board failed to provide an adequate statement of reason...
• CAVCCase 19-6325 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2019-05-17
  The appellant argues that (1)VA failed to evaluate his conditions on an extraschedular basis;(2)VA failed to consider his headaches condition in relation to his 1999 application fo...
• CAVCCase 09-1145 — Affirmed / Vacated / Remanded 2007-06-27
  Service-Connection Claims Establishing service connection generally requires (1)medical evidence of a current disability;(2)medical or,in certain circumstances, lay evidence of inc...