Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the appellant through their authorized representative.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's mental health conditions began during his active duty and are related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 12, 2015 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected hypertensive heart disease has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as anxiety and depression, has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder prior to May 15, 2019 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent.,Effective May 15, 2019, the Veteran's psychiatric conditions have met the criteria for a 100 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding this relationship.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 20% rating from March 23, 2023. The Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's hypertension warranting this increased rating.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder) is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD, persistent depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder have been rated at 100 percent effective September 12, 2018. The rating for his right upper extremity radiculopathy is denied, as is the rating for his left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right temporomandibular joint disorder, left sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the claim for a rating higher than 70 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination. The AOJ should attempt to schedule an appropriate examination and readjudicate the case.

The Veteran's service connection claims for trauma/stressor related disorder and major depressive disorder are granted as these conditions are found to be directly related to their military service.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to January 24, 2011 and increased ratings for depressive disorder are denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's son, L.O., should be recognized as her dependent child for VA purposes on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support. However, additional development is needed to confirm his address and obtain relevant Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and MDD, finding that there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service stressor. The Veteran's reported stressors were not corroborated, and his diagnoses did not stem from service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, unspecified depression with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is granted effective June 16, 2011. The temporary 100% evaluation due to hospitalization for PTSD is denied as the earliest possible effective date provided by law is April 4, 2018. The initial disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD is granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, a substance-induced mood disorder, depression, and anxiety, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy was denied, and the psychiatric disability appeal is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's dental condition for treatment purposes is being remanded due to lack of evidence.,Service connection for the skin disability remains denied as there are no compensable conditions found. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current symptoms warrant an increased rating.,The claim for left arm scars is inextricably intertwined with the skin disability claim and will also be remanded.,PTSD and depression claims remain pending due to insufficient evidence of service connection or exposure to Gulf War toxins.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's current symptoms meet criteria for a diagnosis of depression.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder. The Veteran's condition is related to his service and he is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for HIV, blindness secondary to HIV, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression) secondary to HIV due to insufficient medical opinions and missing SSA records.

The Veteran's scar, status post left breast biopsy, is granted a 10 percent rating beginning January 6, 2020. The Veteran's prior requests for higher ratings are denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and breast tumors are remanded.