Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is rated at 70 percent, effective from September 2, 2009. The appeal for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a mental disorder.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Bilateral Pes Planus has also been denied, with the Board finding that her preexisting condition did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence that his current symptoms are caused by an in-service stressor or any other incident of active service.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated during active duty and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation.

The Veteran's tinnitus and left knee strain with degenerative arthritis are granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied, and the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is granted. The issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), to include headaches, is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive adjustment, alcohol dependence and generalized anxiety disorders is granted. The appeal regarding the left hip disability is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because his income exceeded the poverty threshold and he had not been employed in a protected environment such as a family business or sheltered workshop due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left ankle disorder and lumbosacral disorder are granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate response to the February 2022 remand instructions and failure to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor event.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to include new VA examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and erectile dysfunction. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings and service connection are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions and the need for additional records, particularly from private providers. The Veteran's depressive disorder is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and psychiatric disorder, claiming PTSD. The decision is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and found that it is causally related to the Veteran's military service. The case is remanded for further consideration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD (now claimed as any acquired psychiatric disorder) has been reopened and granted.,Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric condition, to include anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred during his active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran had other disabilities, including sleep apnea and recurrent rashes, which are not directly related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, to include PTSD due to MST and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is remanded. The Board finds that a new VA examination is required to clarify the results of the October 2017 VA examination and determine if the Veteran has PTSD due to MST or whether his other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including seeking service connection for various psychiatric and physical conditions. The appeals are not about the PACT Act or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected eczema, finding that the current severity of the condition does not meet the diagnostic criteria for such an evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and migraines are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.