Depression decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate addendum opinion and a need for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and arranging for a VA medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is properly in the Legacy system and his February 2019 RAMP Selection form should be accepted as a timely NOD. The case is being remanded to issue an SOC for the service connection claim.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and she has been granted a TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided that the reduction in disability evaluation for major depression from 70 percent to 50 percent was improper and has remanded the case for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are denied a compensable initial rating prior to September 13, 2019.,The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depression is denied ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to August 14, 2019 and in excess of 50 percent from August 14, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hydrocephalus and an initial disability rating for depressive disorder due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disorders, a back disability, and a right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder has not caused total social impairment, and the Board finds that a disability rating in excess of 70 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's depressive disorder. The claim will be further developed and an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician is needed.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any other condition.,Service connection was granted for depressive disorder, with the Board concluding that it is secondary to service-connected hearing loss.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen her previously denied claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. However, the underlying claim of service connection is remanded due to the need for further development and medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD. The Veteran is to be provided a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected headaches and TBI with PTSD and MDD was denied. The Veteran's headache disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from May 5, 2023. His TBI with PTSD and MDD remains rated at 70 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, and panic disorder. The examiner must consider whether these conditions are related to an in-service stressor or personal assault.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral eye disability, headaches, psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, low back disability, knee and hip disabilities, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and hearing loss, have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are remanded due to outstanding treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran is also scheduled for examinations closer to his home or via telehealth.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional VA evidence, specifically surgical records from May 2021. The appeal will be reconsidered after these records are added to the claims file.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus, as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a lack of adequate nexus opinions. The Veteran's timeline of drug and alcohol use is inconsistent with his account in service records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for PTSD is denied. The Board found that the January 2007 rating decision was final and did not provide adequate reasons and bases as to whether VA treatment records generated between January 2007 and January 2008 constituted new and material evidence.