Depression decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased evaluation for pulmonary vascular disease have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability that is related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient examination opinions addressing the etiology of his mental health conditions and sleep issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and incomplete record. The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety disorder and depression are being reviewed again with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to military noise exposure during active duty.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to her service-connected fibromyalgia, are being remanded due to the need for further development and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been reopened. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent prior to February 12, 2016 and from September 19, 2017. The Board denied ratings in excess of these percentages.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and a TDIU have been withdrawn. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and cannabis abuse disorder is being remanded due to the need for further VA psychiatric evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD, Bipolar Affective Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors or a disease/condition during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been referred to the RO. The SMC claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these pending claims.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 30, 2016 for the service connection of left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to have started during service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to incomplete verification of in-service stressors, need for additional VA examinations, and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including panic disorder, agoraphobia, and major depressive disorder, is currently rated at 70 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the criteria for a higher rating are not met due to the Veteran's symptoms not approximating total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been reopened, and the appeal is granted. The claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, erectile dysfunction, and depressive disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for depression, but has remanded it due to a need for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's MDD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on his symptoms. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating due to lack of significant impairment in thought processes or communication.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for tinnitus as it was granted in a separate decision. The remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.